Is there a Caltrans OpenRoads Designer Workspace for 2021 R1?

Have you tried taking the 10.12 files and downgrading the config files to whatever version you are seeking?

Another option may be to just completely ignore the specified ORD Configuration/Workspace version and create a custom configuration yourself that uses you're desired version of ORD, create the proper seed files for that version and DOT, but leaves the .DGNLIB files and other workspace components as it, in their natural 10.12 happy place.

Haven't tried this myself, but want to at some point.

Here's the Caltrans Cadd site to follow future updates...   https://misc-external.dot.ca.gov/cadd/index.htm  Also noted from a similar Bentley communities post, "Caltrans has not yet approved any OpenRoads Designer workspace, so it is up to each user to update, validate, and maintain their own standards."