SDOT Divisions

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) mission is "to create and maintain for Seattle a safe and reliable transportation system which enhances neighborhoods, the environment and the economy."  Everything the department does is aimed at enhancing mobility within the city; this department has as its vision "to be the most innovative and responsive transportation agency in the region."  The viability of our neighborhoods and the health of our region's economy are dependent upon access and mobility.


SDOT Department and Division Organization Charts (updated 04/2013) (PDF format)

Director's Office

The Director's Office oversees all of the functions, staff and services of the department, guiding and shaping SDOT to attain our values, vision, mission and goals.  It also manages centralized administrative services, community relations, city-wide Commute Trip Reduction and Rideshare programs, Street Use appeals, and coordinates development and implementation of major transportation projects.

Capital Projects and Roadway Structures

The Capital Projects Division oversees all aspects of project management, design, planning and development, and implementation of transportation projects small and big.

The responsibilities of Roadway Structures include overseeing the city's bridges, retaining walls, public stairways and other structures.  Our employees operate the city's five movable bridges as well as plan and monitor their seismic retrofit.

Community and Media Relations, and Public Information Group

This unit, which is part of the Director's Office, works in two areas.  SDOT's work is of interest to almost everyone who travels in Seattle. We make sure the public has timely, relevant information on our projects and opportunities to provide input.  

Human Resources

This division provides expertise in the areas of hiring and selection, safety and health, benefits, training and administrative support services; to ensure a skilled, trained and safe workplace, dedicated to both city of Seattle and the department's Mission, Vision, Values and Goals.


Policy & Planning

The Policy & Planning division is responsible for long-range transportation planning, and developing transportation policy for the city of Seattle. Our actions ensure all governing regulations and neighborhood plans are considered in SDOT's work.

Major Projects

The Major Projects Division is responsible for the planning, oversight and completion of large, complex capital projects such as the Seattle Streetcar, the Elliott Bay Seawall replacement, the Waterfront Seattle project and the King Street Station restoration. The division also provides coordination of high profile projects such as the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement program, Sound Transit Link light rail and the SR 520 bridge replacement. These projects typically involve significant work with other agencies, including Sound Transit, the Washington State Department of Transportation, King County and the federal government.

Street Use and Urban Forestry

Street Use and Urban Forestry issues permits for work to be done in street areas, and monitors it to make sure it meets city specifications. Typical uses of street areas are for storage of construction materials and sidewalk sales; work on underground utilities; work on buildings that could affect the street; and events like parades.

Resource Management

Resource Management supports the entire department by managing our assets. The responsibilities of the division include budget management, accounting, payroll, and operation and development of information technology.

Street Maintenance

The responsibilities of the division include cleaning street pavement and making repairs.  Staff clears snow and ice, fills potholes and takes care of minor asphalt and concrete paving jobs.  They monitor the condition of city streets, empty litter receptacles located on sidewalks and maintain the street drainage system.   They also work on landslide cleanup. The work we do keeps Seattle moving and our streets and sidewalks safe.

Traffic Management

Traffic Management Division is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the street system. In addition to maintaining and operating the system, we sponsor capital improvements to build the system we need in the future.

We are about 170 people, including about 100 planners and engineers, and about 70 field crew with craft skills in signs and markings, and electrical construction and maintenance. We are responsible for about $46MM of work each year.

To help traffic flow we place and maintain lane markings and up to 100,000 street signs. We operate 1,000 traffic signals, and coordinate it all by means of an automated Traffic Management Center.

We help build the bicycle, pedestrian, freight and transit facilities that Seattle needs.

We manage the curb space. We issue permits for parking, install and operate pay stations, assign spaces for commercial loading and for buses, and approve traffic control arrangements at construction sites.