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.
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BOS:311 service requests
Service requestsStreet issues
Find out more about how we
protect and fix the public ways
in Boston.
Public Works Engineering Projects
We have information on bridge, design, and construction projects.
Waste reduction
The Code Enforcement Police enforce state and City sanitary codes. They patrol the City on foot, bike, and car.
Public records
Public recordsDownload an excel spreadsheet of layout plans for City of Boston streets.
Many of our historic engineering plans have been digitized and are now available online.
We will be upgrading our system on December 9. Here is a brief guide on navigating the new system.
We have information on City of Boston atlases and survey books from the past.
Search through a list of Boston's streets, avenues, courts and other public locations.
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 concrete vendors (as of November 1, 2018)
- Approved gravel vendors (as of November 1, 2018)
- Climate Resilient Design Guidelines (October 2018)
- Public Works Design Standards
- Recycling and trash guidelines for Downtown and Roxbury
- Waste audit of multiple collection districts (2013)
- Winter 2019-2020 Moratorium Guidelines for Utility Excavation
