What We Do

SDOT plans and carries out long term paving plans and keeps our streets and sidewalks clear and safe on a daily basis through multiple programs and oversight of city rules.

Planning and Prioritizing

SDOT’s Pavement Engineering and Management Section assesses the condition of our streets and determines where to allocate our finite funding to repair streets across the city.

We prioritize paving based on street pavement condition, traffic volume, geographic equity, cost, and opportunities for grants or coordination with other projects in the area. View info on the types of pavements and the condition of Seattle’s streets.

Long-Term, Large-Scale Paving Program

This program is often called The Paving Program. We pave arterial streets in poor condition to make them safer and smoother, and to extend their useful life. This long-term program has large paving projects planned from 2016-2024.

Targeted Annual Paving Program

In addition to the long-term paving program, SDOT also has a program which makes targeted repairs to section of arterials which are in the greatest need of repair each year. These projects range from replacing a single concrete panel to repaving two blocks.

Preventive Maintenance

SDOT’s Microsurfacing  and Crack Sealing programs extend the life of pavement which is in good condition by sealing the surface to keep out water, which will damage pavement over time.

Sidewalk Repair

The Sidewalk Repair Program oversees the maintenance of Seattle sidewalks and curbs. Adjacent property owners are generally responsible to maintain sidewalks.

Potholes

We strive to fill potholes within three business days, starting the morning after they are reported. View the pothole map, pothole report form and more.

Sweeping

Street Maintenance crews sweep major arterials on a regular basis, ranging from daily to every two weeks, depending on the need. Most minor arterials are swept once a month; some are swept only when requested.

Because of their heavy use, downtown streets are swept every night, and alleys are cleaned five nights a week. Alleys are usually also hand-cleaned and flushed once per week. Street sweeping normally takes place during the night.

The crews do not routinely sweep nonarterial streets, but do limited leaf cleaning in the fall.

Emergency Response

SDOT Emergency Laborers respond to traffic incidents, such as collisions, stalls, and other incidents with the goal to clear the roadway as fast as possible and to keep the traveling public safe. We also keep the streets open and serviceable during and after all types of emergencies such as landslides and snow storms.

Signs and Markings

SDOT staff restripe crosswalks, lane markings and other painted surfaces on the streets so people understand the purpose of each section of pavement. We also create signs such as street signs, stops signs, speed limit signs, etc. and replace signs as appropriate.

Grass and weeds along the street

Property owners are responsible for taking care of the sides of the street—sidewalks and planting strips—that are adjacent to their property.

SDOT street maintenance crews maintain the areas that are adjacent to public property, as well as trim vegetation that blocks the site line of drivers, presenting a potential hazard.

SDOT landscape crews maintain formally planted areas on major arterials or adjacent to public property, such as along a bridge or a public stairway.

Spill Cleanup

SMD crews clean up spills in the street and respond to requests by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). Report spills to SPU directly at (206) 386-1800.