CONNECT Digital Design Environment

A screenshot from OpenRoads Designer, showing an example workflow with 4 distinct views.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (CTDOT) Connect DDE (Digital Design Environment) is CTDOT’s configuration/workspace for Bentley’s Connect Edition software. The CTDOT Connect DDE contains resources, standards and the tools necessary for designing projects in accordance with CTDOT CAD Standards.
Support, Inquiries and Questions  

Software Requirements

Versions

The CTDOT CONNECT DDE is configured to work with the following Bentley Systems, Inc. trademark products:

  • Surveying, Drainage, Roadway, and Site - OpenRoads Designer® (Version 23.00.01.11)
  • Bridge - OpenBridge Modeler® (Version 23.00.01.24) or OpenBridge Designer® (Version 23.00.01.24)
  • Rail - OpenRail Designer® (Version 23.00.01.11)
  • Building - OpenBuildings Designer® (Version 23.00.00.114)

Special Notes:

  1. CTDOT will not support the use of the DDE with standalone MicroStation. The approved applications include all the functionality of the MicroStation with additional design specific capabilities for infrastructure projects.  These applications align with the Building Information Modeling (BIM) functionality needed to move design data through the lifecycle.
  2. The CONNECT DDE is not configured to work with Bentley’s V8i SELECTseries products including MicroStation, InRoads and OpenRoads SS4.


CONNECT Digital Design Environment Guide

Digital Design Environment Guide

CTDOT CONNECT EDITION CAD Manual

  • Modeling
  • Plan Production
  • Publishing and Printing
Go to Guide  
Digital Project Development Manual .PDF

Digital Project Development Manual

  • COMPASS Overview
  • Document Preparation
  • Digital Signatures
  • PDF Plan, Specs & EED Submittals
  • PDF Reviews & As-Builts
Go to Manual  

DDE Environment Set-Up for Consultant Engineers

The workflow for installing the DDE is available in Volume 1 of the CTDOT DDE Guide – Bentley CONNECT Edition. This will instruct consultant engineers, municipalities and any other private parties on how to set up the CTDOT CONNECT DDE.  A .zip file is provided below for download, it contains a CTDOT standard WorkSet (Project) and CTDOT’s Configuration Files (Workspace).  All the necessary configurations and resource files (Cells, Level Names etc.) are contained within these files. The CTDOT CONNECT DDE is NOT configured to work with ProjectWise. An additional Zip file will need to be downloaded and installed if OpenBuildings Designer is being used.

Updates Notifications

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CAD WorkSpace

Dated 04/14/2025

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OpenBuildings Resources

Dated 04/14/2025

Directive

Adhering to the following requirement shall be included in the general cost of doing business for the CTDOT and shall not be used to seek additional compensation.  Consultants working on existing CTDOT projects may migrate from previous Digital Design Environments to the latest CONNECT DDE (with no additional compensation).
 

CONNECT Digital Design Environment (CAD Standards) for Capital Projects
This directive establishes the requirements to use Bentley’s CONNECT Suite of products with CTDOT’s CONNECT Digital Design Environment (CAD Standards) to prepare CAD models and contract plans for capital projects.

Requests for additional information should be addressed to:
William S. Pratt, P.E.
Transportation Principal Engineer
Phone: (860) 594-3320
Email: William.Pratt@ct.gov