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Maintenance advisories and memos

Maintenance advisories and memos

Overview of maintenance guidance

Maintenance memos (MM), used from 1977 to 2007, and maintenance advisories (MA), used since 2005, provide information and guidance to MDOT regions, TSCs, garages, special crews and local agencies on performing maintenance activities on state trunklines. MMs replaced the Operations Maintenance Handbook, Volume 1 – Operations, and MAs were introduced to convey updates and promote uniformity in maintenance practices statewide.

When conflicting information exists between an MM and an MA, the most recent document should be followed.

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Status Advisory number Advisory name Notes
Active MA 2025-01 Use of temporary rumble strips
Active MA 2024-02 CAT-350 guardrail terminal: Addition of square post bolt washers
Active MA 2024-01 Soil erosion and sedimentation control
Active MA 2023-02 Disposal of road killed animals Replaces MM 1982-03 and MM 1993-02
Active MA 2021-01 Maintenance of grade separations on state trunklines Replaces MA 2019-02 and MM 2002-04
Archived MA 2019-02 Maintenance of grade separations on state trunklines Replaced by MA 2021-01
Active MA 2019-01 Discontinued use of breakaway cable terminals (BCTs) Replaces MM 2003-01
Active MA 2018-05 Maintenance work project
Active MA 2018-04 Guidance on using wing-plows Replaces MA 2017-02, MA 2014-01 and MA 2008-06
Active MA 2018-03 Disposing of surplus and unsuitable soils
Active MA 2018-02 Storage of materials under bridges and structures
Active MA 2018-01 Discontinue use of X-Lite Guardrail Terminal
Archived MA 2017-02 Guidance on using wing-plows Replaced by MA 2018-04
Archived MA 2017-01 Maintenance activity guides - TAMS replacing MARS Archived prior to 2026: No longer needed
Archived MA 2014-01 Guidance on using wing-plow Replaced by MA 2017-02
Active MA 2013-01 Best practices for applying deicing materials
Active MA 2012-04 Roadside vegetation management
Active MA 2012-03 PDRP
Active MA 2012-02 Cable grip slippage during barrier repair
Active MA 2012-01 Roadside vegetation spray programs
Archived MA 2010-05 Maintenance material reporting in LAPS Archived 2021: New MLAP application resolved
Active MA 2010-04 Insurance for maintenance subcontracts
Archived MA 2010-03 High tension cable barrier repairs Archived prior to 2026: Originally part of a research project and is no longer needed
Active MA 2010-02 Cable barrier turnbuckles
Archived MA 2010-01 Oil-water separator Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in the environmental manuals
Active MA 2009-11 Snow plowing near railroad crossings
Active MA 2009-10 Abrasives in winter operations
Active MA 2009-09 Cable barrier system
Archived MA 2009-08 Lights on drums Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in Michigan Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Work Zone Safety Mobility Manual
Archived MA 2009-07 HMA crack treatment Archived prior to 2026: Information is incorporated into PCA for crack sealing and concrete repairs
Active MA 2009-06 Edge drains
Archived MA 2009-05 Sign sheeting material change Archived prior to 2026: No longer applicable and must follow the 2020 Standard Specifications for Construction, Table 919-3
Active MA 2009-04 Illicit discharge
Active MA 2009-03 Damaged mailboxes Replaces MM 1996-01
Active MA 2009-02 Calibration of salt trucks
Active MA 2009-01 White shoulder policy Replaces MM 1989-03
Archived MA 2008-10 Bridge expansion joints Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in the bridge movement white paper
Archived MA 2008-09 Disposal of used motor oil Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in the environmental manuals
Archived MA 2008-08 Storage of empty drums Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in the environmental manuals
Active MA 2008-07 Rest area lift stations
Archived MA 2008-06 Wing plow Replaced by MA 2014-01
Active MA 2008-05 Liquid deicing
Archived MA 2008-04 Attenuator Archived prior to 2026: No longer applicable
Archived MA 2008-03 Emergency scene Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in Michigan Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Work Zone Safety Mobility Manual
Archived MA 2008-02 Concrete pavement Archived prior to 2026: Information is incorporated into PCA for crack sealing and concrete repairs
Archived MA 2008-01 Use of arrow panels Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in Michigan Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Work Zone Safety Mobility Manual
Archived MA 2007-01 Lights on drums are optional for maintenance activities Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in Michigan Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Work Zone Safety Mobility Manual
Archived MM 2007-01 Sign sheeting material change Replaced by MA 2009-05
Archived MA 2006-02 Mercury switch disposal Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in the environmental manuals
Archived MA 2006-01 Plastic sign substrates Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in Michigan Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Work Zone Safety Mobility Manual
Archived MA 2005-02 Bridge maintenance Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in the structural concrete repair white paper
Archived MA 2005-01 Work zone safety Archived prior to 2026: Information is located in Michigan Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Work Zone Safety Mobility Manual
Active MM 2005-01 Culvert management guidelines
Active MM 2004-02 Contract county purchase of roll-up signs
Active MM 2004-01 State trunkline maintenance contract salt purchase
Active MM 2003-06 Illicit discharge elimination program procedures
Active MM 2003-05 Information on winter operations around sidewalks and pedestrian overpasses Replaces 2.5.9
Archived MM 2003-04 Collections made on damaged state property Archived prior to 2026
Active MM 2003-03 Roadside mowing Replaces 2.3.2.4
Archived MM 2003-01 Discontinued use of BCTs Replaced by MA 2019-01
Active MM 2002-05 Dark signals
Archived MM 2002-04 Responsibility for maintenance of grade separations on state trunklines
 Replaced by MA 2019-02
Archived MM 2002-03 Distribution of work zone traffic control guidelines for maintenance operations Archived prior to 2026
Archived MM 2002-02 Calibration of salt trucks Replaced by MA 2009-02
Archived MM 2002-01 State trunkline maintenance contract salt purchase Replaced by MM 2004-01
Archived MM 2001-01 Monitoring of 2001-2002 salt deliveries Archived prior to 2026
Active MM-2000-02 Temporary and political signs adjacent to state trunkline right of way Replaces 2.8.4.1
Active MM-2000-01 Emergency procedures for road closures Section 5 Replaces 2.11.1
Active MM 1999-06 Removing temporary signs from within state trunkline right of way Replaces 2.8.4.2
Active MM 1999-05 Contract agency work review documentation Replaces 2.8.8
Active MM 1999-04 Movable bridge maintenance responsibilities Replaces 2.6.3
Active MM 1999-03
 Highway maintenance patrol letter of understanding Replaces 2.5.6
Archived MM 1999-02 Revised permit process for environmental site closures Archived prior to 2026
Archived MM 1999-01 Procedures for issuing permits for grooming snowmobile trails Archived prior to 2026
Active MM 1998-11 Maintenance audit review process for contract agencies Replaces 2.8.5
Active MM 1998-10 Interagency agreement for Welcome Centers
Active MM 1998-09 Survey monuments Replaces 2.1.1
Active MM 1998-08 Repair at storm water pumpstations Replaces 2.12.2.3
Active MM 1998-07 MDOT responsibility for work done at weigh stations Replaces 2.12.2.1
Active MM 1998-06 Building maintenance Replaces 2.12.2.2
Active MM 1998-05 Overhead schedule for chemical storage facility contract agreements Replaces 2.8.2
Active MM 1998-04 Roadside park closures
Active MM 1998-03 Traffic sign installation date stickers Replaces 2.7.1
Archived MM 1998-02 Guidance for storage of empty drums Archived prior to 2026
Active MM 1998-01 Pesticide spray areas Replaces 2.3.2.3
Archived MM 1996-01 Guidance for repair of damaged mailboxes Replaced by MA 2009-03
Archived MM 1993-02
 Disposal of large road killed animals Replaced by MA 2023-02
Active MM 1993-01 Guidelines for electrical traffic control device maintenance Replaces 2.7.4
Archived MM 1989-03 White shoulder policy
 Replaced by MA 2009-01
Archived MM 1989-02 Disposal of automotive and special equipment Archived prior to 2026
Active MM 1989-01 Loaning of state-owned equipment Replaces 2.12.1.1
Active MM 1988-02 Trunkline intersections with city/county roads and streets Replaces 2.8.1
Active MM 1988-01 Right-of-way fence Replaces 2.3.2.5
Archived MM 1988-01-b Harvesting of hay from highway ROW Archived prior to 2026: Refer to MDOT Form 2459
Active MM 1987-02 Handicapped parking Replaces 2.3.1.2
Active MM 1987-01 Bridge spot painting standards and guidelines Replaces 2.6.5
Archived MM 1986-04 Disposal of used motor oil Archived prior to 2026
Archived MM 1986-03 Disposal of old batteries Archived prior to 2026
Archived MM 1986-02 District spot painting crew Archived prior to 2026
Archived MM 1986-01 Mowing accidents Archived prior to 2026
Active MM 1985-01 Maintenance of county drain culverts and bridges under state trunklines Replaces 2.4.2
Archived MM 1984-02 Fire extinguisher for tar kettle operations Archived prior to 2026
Active MM 1984-01 Piling of snow at intersections and driveways Replaces 2.5.3
Archived MM 1982-03
 Removal of dead animals and foreign matter from the roadway Replaced by MM 1993-02
Active MM 1982-02 Movable bridges signaling Replaces 2.6.2
Active MM 1982-01 Snow hauling Replaces 2.5.1
Archived MM 1977-01 Winter maintenance services snow and ice control Archived prior to 2026