Dealing With Construction

Notification
Seattle Transportation's (SeaTran) Street and Sidewalk Pavement Opening and Restoration Rules (SSPORR) do not require advance notice to property owners. The Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) is working with SeaTran to ensure that permits issued for sidewalk work require that the contractor doing the work "notify any utility or property owner (who will be) subject to damage or inconvenience."

Typically, the contractor will send a flyer or letter to the affected properties. They may even visit the businesses and properties along the corridor where the work will take place.

TIP: In the absence of notification, markings on the sidewalk are a good indicator of imminent sidewalk work. Ask your building engineers to keep their eyes open and notify you if markings appear. If you see markings, call SeaTran at 206-684-5253 for more information.

Sidewalk Replacement Rules
Section 5.15 of the SSPORR requires that: "The quality and workmanship of restoration shall be equal to or greater than that of the original project. The process of restoration will be under the close direction of the Director to assure that the special design standards are met." In addition the rules state further that, "Replacement materials identical to the removed materials must be on the job site or in the permittee/contractor's possession prior to the start of work."

When special materials are used, such as exposed aggregate or decorative surfaces, SeaTran requires that requests for these materials be made in writing, and that the City also be indemnified.

DURING CONSTRUCTION

Site Maintenance
Section 6.1 of the SSPORR requires that "The site and surrounding area shall generally be kept clean and free of construction debris or other material such as mud, dust, chunks of soil, pieces of wood, wire, etc." by the permittee/contractor. SeaTran's Street Use inspectors should be contacted in the event you have complaints.

TIP: Contact information for each job can be found here, or by calling the Street Use Section at 206-684-5253.

Contact Information
Section 5.15 of the SSPORR requires that: "All equipment at a construction site must be conspicuously marked with the operating company name and phone number." If it is not, call the Street Use inspector assigned to the project.

Previously Broken Sidewalk
Section 13.3.2 of the SSPORR requires that: "permittee/contractor, doing work immediately adjacent to a standard concrete walk that was damaged prior to construction, shall be required to replace the damaged walk, full width, for the length of the … Such permittee/contractor must bear the entire expense of such replacement or negotiate with the adjoining property owners prior to construction and arrange at that time to share the expense with the property owners." Be wary of contractors who do not inform you of this requirement, then ask you to sign a form indicating your approval for an alternative "fix," such as cut and cover.

AFTER-CONSTRUCTION

Inadequate Sidewalk Restoration
Sometimes contractors will cut into the sidewalk and put in a temporary blacktop patch without replacing the concrete. SeaTran is responsible for the final patchwork and in most cases the contractor paid the City to perform the work. When you call SeaTran for information, be sure to ask for a call back and confirmation of when the work will be completed. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact SeaTran's Street Use inspectors at 684-5253.

If the work is not performed as specified, you may call the Citizen Service Bureau at 684-4000 and file a complaint.

Additional Resources
For general inquiries about Street Use inspection and answers to questions about work being done in the street, contact SeaTran's Street Use section at (206) 684-5253.