Public Works | Boston.gov
Source: https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works
Archived: 2026-04-23 14:59
Public Works | Boston.gov
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An official website of the City of Boston.
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Public Works
We ensure that Boston’s streets, sidewalks, and bridges are safe, clean, and attractive.
Page Sections
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
617-635-4900
send an email
1 City Hall Square
Room 714
Boston
,
MA
02201-2024
United States
Office hours
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
icon-twitter
Quick Links
Find Your Trash Schedule With Our Trash Day App
Street Sweeping Lookup And Alerts
Parking Spots For Moving trucks
Guide To Boston Areaways
2026 Utility Construction Kickoff Presentation
2026 Field Supervisor Checklist
Common Permits And Applications
Roadway Resurfacing Projects
Search Active Construction Data
Upcoming Contracting Opportunities
Street Tree Field Protection Guide
1
Guide:
Trash and Recycling
2
Guide:
Managing Winter and Snow
3
Guide:
Moving
4
Guide:
Getting around Boston
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 requests
Improper storage of trash barrels
Request sidewalk repair
Request to salt or plow a street
Request recycling and yard waste stickers
Request graffiti removal
Schedule a special collection item for pickup
Report a pothole
Report a missed trash collection
Report a streetlight outage
Street 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
.
We have several programs and initiatives that keep our infrastructure in a state of good repair.
Learn more
Accountability and road repair
Find out about the rules behind creating a temporary asphalt patch.
Approved asphalt vendor list
View a list of approved asphalt vendors.
Approved concrete vendor list
View a list of approved concrete vendors.
Approved gravel vendor list
View a list of approved gravel vendors.
City of Boston Banner Program
The banner season runs from March 15 through December 15.
Commercial Hauler permits
Commercial waste companies are required to have a permit.
Public vs. private ways
Learn about who's responsible for public and private ways in the City.
Roadway resurfacing in Boston
Every year, we resurface more than 30 miles of roadway in the City.
Sidewalk deposits and permits
For when a construction job may impact a sidewalk.
Street occupancy permits
Restrict access to a section of a street or sidewalk in Boston.
Street sweeping in the City
Learn about what happens when we clean streets in Boston.
Taking care of Boston's streetlights
The Street Lighting Division fixes and maintains streetlights.
Winter Moratorium Board Guidelines for 2025-2026
The winter moratorium will begin this year on Wednesday, November 19.
Public Works Engineering Projects
We have information on bridge, design, and construction projects.
Engineering projects
Public Records
Public Records
Historic Engineering Plans Catalogue (L Plans) (Last updated: April 6, 2026)
Historic Engineering Plans
Guide to Searching Historic Engineering Plans
Historic Public Works Records
Street Book
Latest news
News
Aug 29
Student Move-In Preparations Announced For Boston Colleges And Universities
Mayor's Office
Aug 15
Traffic Advisory - Alford Street Temporary Lane Closure
Traffic Advisory - Alford Street Temporary Lane Closure
Public Works
May 12
McArdle Bridge (Meridian Street) Construction Advisory
McArdle Bridge (Meridian Street) Construction Advisory
Public Works
Mar 11
Belgrade Avenue Bridge Repairs Advisory
Belgrade Avenue Bridge Repairs Advisory
Public Works
More Public Works news
Upcoming events
Events
Public Improvement Commission Hearing
Apr 23
Zero Waste Day Drop-Off
May 16
Zero Waste Day Drop-Off
Jun 27
Zero Waste Day Drop-Off
Aug 15
Zero Waste Day Drop-Off
Sep 26
More Public Works events
Public Improvement Commission
The commission owns and controls Boston’s public space. We play an important role in the City’s development and permitting.
Public Improvement Commission info
Reports and publications
Reports
Active Utility Construction Report
The 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.
Search active construction data
Download active construction data
Publications
Rules and specifications for excavation activity
Approved asphalt vendors
Approved concrete vendors
Approved gravel vendors
Climate Resilient Design Guidelines (October 2018)
Guaranteed street approval form
Public Works Design Standards
Waste audit of multiple collection districts (2013)
Video
Highway Construction: Pave Harder
Highway Construction Stewards of the Street
Contact
617-635-4900
send an email
1 City Hall Square
Room 714
Boston
,
MA
02201-2024
United States
Office hours
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
icon-twitter
Provide Your Feedback
Skip to Main Content
An official website of the City of Boston.
Here's how you know
Official websites use .boston.gov
A .boston.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the City of Boston.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
)
or https:// means you've safely connected to the
.gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure
websites.
Public Works
We ensure that Boston’s streets, sidewalks, and bridges are safe, clean, and attractive.
Page Sections
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
617-635-4900
send an email
1 City Hall Square
Room 714
Boston
,
MA
02201-2024
United States
Office hours
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
icon-twitter
Quick Links
Find Your Trash Schedule With Our Trash Day App
Street Sweeping Lookup And Alerts
Parking Spots For Moving trucks
Guide To Boston Areaways
2026 Utility Construction Kickoff Presentation
2026 Field Supervisor Checklist
Common Permits And Applications
Roadway Resurfacing Projects
Search Active Construction Data
Upcoming Contracting Opportunities
Street Tree Field Protection Guide
1
Guide:
Trash and Recycling
2
Guide:
Managing Winter and Snow
3
Guide:
Moving
4
Guide:
Getting around Boston
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 requests
Improper storage of trash barrels
Request sidewalk repair
Request to salt or plow a street
Request recycling and yard waste stickers
Request graffiti removal
Schedule a special collection item for pickup
Report a pothole
Report a missed trash collection
Report a streetlight outage
Street 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
.
We have several programs and initiatives that keep our infrastructure in a state of good repair.
Learn more
Accountability and road repair
Find out about the rules behind creating a temporary asphalt patch.
Approved asphalt vendor list
View a list of approved asphalt vendors.
Approved concrete vendor list
View a list of approved concrete vendors.
Approved gravel vendor list
View a list of approved gravel vendors.
City of Boston Banner Program
The banner season runs from March 15 through December 15.
Commercial Hauler permits
Commercial waste companies are required to have a permit.
Public vs. private ways
Learn about who's responsible for public and private ways in the City.
Roadway resurfacing in Boston
Every year, we resurface more than 30 miles of roadway in the City.
Sidewalk deposits and permits
For when a construction job may impact a sidewalk.
Street occupancy permits
Restrict access to a section of a street or sidewalk in Boston.
Street sweeping in the City
Learn about what happens when we clean streets in Boston.
Taking care of Boston's streetlights
The Street Lighting Division fixes and maintains streetlights.
Winter Moratorium Board Guidelines for 2025-2026
The winter moratorium will begin this year on Wednesday, November 19.
Public Works Engineering Projects
We have information on bridge, design, and construction projects.
Engineering projects
Public Records
Public Records
Historic Engineering Plans Catalogue (L Plans) (Last updated: April 6, 2026)
Historic Engineering Plans
Guide to Searching Historic Engineering Plans
Historic Public Works Records
Street Book
Latest news
News
Aug 29
Student Move-In Preparations Announced For Boston Colleges And Universities
Mayor's Office
Aug 15
Traffic Advisory - Alford Street Temporary Lane Closure
Traffic Advisory - Alford Street Temporary Lane Closure
Public Works
May 12
McArdle Bridge (Meridian Street) Construction Advisory
McArdle Bridge (Meridian Street) Construction Advisory
Public Works
Mar 11
Belgrade Avenue Bridge Repairs Advisory
Belgrade Avenue Bridge Repairs Advisory
Public Works
More Public Works news
Upcoming events
Events
Public Improvement Commission Hearing
Apr 23
Zero Waste Day Drop-Off
May 16
Zero Waste Day Drop-Off
Jun 27
Zero Waste Day Drop-Off
Aug 15
Zero Waste Day Drop-Off
Sep 26
More Public Works events
Public Improvement Commission
The commission owns and controls Boston’s public space. We play an important role in the City’s development and permitting.
Public Improvement Commission info
Reports and publications
Reports
Active Utility Construction Report
The 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.
Search active construction data
Download active construction data
Publications
Rules and specifications for excavation activity
Approved asphalt vendors
Approved concrete vendors
Approved gravel vendors
Climate Resilient Design Guidelines (October 2018)
Guaranteed street approval form
Public Works Design Standards
Waste audit of multiple collection districts (2013)
Video
Highway Construction: Pave Harder
Highway Construction Stewards of the Street
Contact
617-635-4900
send an email
1 City Hall Square
Room 714
Boston
,
MA
02201-2024
United States
Office hours
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
icon-twitter
Provide Your Feedback