Public Works
We ensure that Boston’s streets, sidewalks, and bridges are safe, clean, and attractive.
Our department provides core basic services essential to neighborhood quality of life. We direct the general construction, maintenance, and cleaning of approximately 802 miles of roadways throughout the City. We operate two major drawbridges, maintain 68,055 City-owned street lights, and supervise contracts for the removal and disposal of approximately 260,000 tons of solid waste. We also operate Boston’s recycling program with an annual diversion of approximately 44,000 tons.
Learn more about how Public Works helps the City.
Contact
-
1 City Hall Square
Room 714Boston, MA 02201-2024 -
Office hoursMonday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Get started
Design standards and guidelines
Climate resilient design guidelines
We’re addressing flooding due to sea level rise and storm surge to protect the public right-of-way.
Public Works design standards and guidelines
We have information about roadway design standards, guidelines, and standard details.
Rules and Specifications for Excavation Activity
Review the mandatory Rules and Specifications requirement for the issuance of a Public Works Department permit to open or occupy a public way.
BOS:311 service requests
Service requestsStreet Resources
We handle many tasks that keep our streets clean and safe to use.
Find out more about how we protect and fix the public ways in Boston.
Find out about the rules behind creating a temporary asphalt patch.
View a list of approved asphalt vendors.
View a list of approved concrete vendors.
View a list of approved gravel vendors.
The banner season runs from March 15 through December 15.
Commercial waste companies are required to have a permit.
Learn about who's responsible for public and private ways in the City.
Every year, we resurface more than 30 miles of roadway in the City.
For when a construction job may impact a sidewalk.
Restrict access to a section of a street or sidewalk in Boston.
Learn about what happens when we clean streets in Boston.
The Street Lighting Division fixes and maintains streetlights.
Public Works Engineering Projects
We have information on bridge, design, and construction projects.
Public Improvement Commission
The commission owns and controls Boston’s public space. We play an important role in the City’s development and permitting.
Reports and publications
ReportsThe Construction Inspection Unit (CIU) produces a daily report, Monday through Friday, of all active utility and private contractor construction work taking place in the Public Way throughout Boston. In addition, they list all City resurfacing and reconstruction projects.
Emergency work notified to the unit after normal work hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) is not available in the report until the following work day.
You can see what construction is taking place in your neighborhood, the reason for the work, the contact information for the company, and the estimated completion date of the project.
- Rules and specifications for excavation activity
- 2019 utility kickoff presentation
- Approved asphalt vendors
- Approved concrete vendors
- Approved gravel vendors
- Climate Resilient Design Guidelines (October 2018)
- Guaranteed street approval form
- Public Works Design Standards
- Recycling and trash guidelines for Downtown and Roxbury
- Waste audit of multiple collection districts (2013)
- Winter 2021-2022 Moratorium Guidelines for Utility Excavation
