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The Michigan Engineers' Resource Library (MERL) contains information and utilities designed to help a transportation engineer create road and bridge project estimates. MERL also includes utilities to enter and analyze bids for Local Jobs as well as to manage Local Jobs by tracking Daily Postings and Payment Estimates.

Features of MERL 4.2 are:
  • Project Estimator
    The Project Estimator includes a searchable list of Michigan DOT Pay Item Codes for 2003, 1996, and 1990. It also includes the Michigan DOT Aeronautic Pay Item Codes for 2005 and Average Unit Prices for items let through the Michigan DOT Bid Letting system.

    Using the Project Estimator, you can:
    • Create a spreadsheet of Pay Items, Quantities and Costs.
    • Separate items by Category (funding, function, etc.), Plan Sheet, Station, etc.
    • Print Estimate reports or export to PDF.
    • Create user-defined Pay Item Codes for use in local jobs.
    • Transport data between users via import/export including:
      • MERL Contract Files
      • MERL Estimate Files
      • Comma Separated Values (CSV)
      • MDOT's Trns*Port Project Management System
      • Field Manager

  • MERL Bid Entry & Analysis Utility
    Using the Bid Entry & Analysis Utility, you can enter and analyze bids for local contracts, including:
    • Compare bids in total or item-by-item
    • Rank bidders from Low to High Bidder
    • View High Bid, Low Bid, Average Bid, and Std. Deviation for each item

  • Job Manager
    The Resource Library is a fully indexed and searchable library of Michigan DOT documents, including:
    • 2003 Spec Book including frequently used Supplemntal Specs and Special Provisions
    • Density Control Handbook
    • MDOT File Manual for Construction Records
    • Bridge Design Manual
    • Road Design Manual
    • Material Source Guide

  • Resource Library
    The Job Manager will help you manage local jobs, including:
    • Entering and tracking daily postings of items
    • Entering and tracking payment estimates
    • Monitoring job progress according to items posted and payments made

  • Update Wizard
    The Update Wizard automates the download and installation of updates to the program, reports, Pay Item Codes, Average Unit Prices, and more.

  • Network or Stand-Alone
    You can install MERL to be run on a single workstation or connected to a shared Microsoft SQL Server database.

MERL 4.2 is free of charge to any Michigan Local Agency and their consultants.
You can download MERL or, to request a CD copy, call 906-487-2102 or send an e-mail to MERL Support