Both public and private construction may require use of the street right-of-way for activities such as utility installation, roadway work, and project staging. Access through construction zones and to residences, public properties and businesses during construction must also be accommodated.

This chapter includes information or links to other resources that must be considered when doing construction or maintenance work in the street right-of-way including:

• Traffic control plans; see Client Assistance Memos (CAM) 2110 Steps to an Approved Traffic Control Plan, CAM 2111 Traffic Control Plan Checklist, CAM 2112 Traffic Control Vendors
• Construction coordination; see CAM 2109 Permittee Responsibilities
• Pre-construction activities;
• Inspections and construction activities; see CAM 2101 for Inspections
• Maintenance and repair of property frontage, including sidewalks, street trees, landscaping and utilities;
• Acceptable, restoration of street and sidewalk pavement openings; see CAM 2205 Street Openings and SDOT Director Rule 04-02 on Street Openings;
• Temporary erosion and sediment control; see DPD CAM 502 and
• Safe work sites.

In many cases, construction and maintenance in the street right-of-way will require one or more permits, especially if a street or street right-of-way closure is proposed. The City of Seattle issues permits for the construction of improvements in the street right-of-way and inspects new improvements, including roadway and utility work and the installation of street trees and landscaping. The City also works proactively to coordinate utility work within the street right-of-way to make the most efficient use of resources and minimize the impacts to the traveling public.

Hazardous Materials Contamination

If suspected contamination is discovered during construction activities, work shall cease and the City inspector shall be notified. Upon consultation with SDOT Environmental Services, the inspector may require the contractor to sample for contaminants and report the results to the City. The City may then require additional sampling to determine potential impacts to the right-of-way.