Specifications - Michigan Road Preservation Association

The Michigan Department of Transportation’s specifications for capital preventive maintenance are developed through the cooperative efforts of MRPA and MDOT through the MDOT/MRPA Technical Committee (MMTC) and the Pavement Preservation Operations Committee (P2OC).

Specifications describe the nature of work to be completed, materials to be used, and construction processes to be followed. They are important to the execution of a project, serving as a basis for common understanding of the process a contractor will follow when completing the project.

Preconstruction meetings between the contractor and agency can be used to make special arrangements (modifications) that will improve an individual project’s process or performance or improve safety and efficiency for motorists and other stakeholders. This communication is an important component to ensure quality jobs with minimal disruption for the motoring public.

Tools for Michigan’s Local Road Agencies

Recognizing that Michigan’s local road agencies would benefit from clear and concise specification guidelines and best practices for preventive maintenance treatments, the MRPA Board of Directors reactivated a Technical Specifications Committee. This committee, made up of members, associate members, and other industry experts met for the first time in May 2024.

After several months of evaluating existing research, specifications, and best practices, the Committee decided to prepare guidelines for the surface treatments and provide convenient connections to best practices, inspection guidelines, material specifications, and MDOT’s specifications. To meet the request of the MRPA Board, the resources needed to be completed by November 2025, in time for MRPA’s Local Agency Workshop.

Why guidelines and not specifications? Specifications are precise, mandatory requirements that must be strictly met. They are often part of a contract. Specification guidelines are recommendations or best practices that provide direction but allow for some flexibility in implementation. Each guideline prepared by the Committee follows the same basic format and includes detailed information on materials, construction and other information essential to quality projects.

Customizable inspection guidelines were developed for each treatment; a tool for local road agencies to help ensure every job is a quality job.

The first resources completed include chip seal, fog seal, and micro surfacing. Crack seal materials are still in process. The Committee will meet in January 2026 to determine next steps in developing resources for Michigan’s local road agencies.