The Roadside & Site Development Team and Region Landscape Architects partner with other disciplines to provide support during the following project development phases.

See the different disciplines Environmental Compliance, Design, Construction, Maintenance, Policy Development and how we can be of assistance to you.

Environmental Compliance 

    
NEPA—SEPA
Landscape architects and designers at WSDOT conduct visual quality assessments as part of the NEPA and SEPA process during early design.

Environmental Mitigation
We also work with Wetland Biologists and Hydrologists on designing wetland mitigation sites and streambank restoration projects.

Erosion Control
We design for permanent erosion control on our roadsides. 
    
Please contact your Region Landscape Architect or the HQ Roadside and Site Development Office for assistance.

Additional Resources:
Environmental Procedures Manual

Design

    
The Roadside and Site Development team prepares planting, environmental mitigation and irrigation plans for highway projects in regions without a region landscape architect. Statewide, Landscape Architects and Designers provide this service in their regions as well.

Contract development may also include plans for:

• design enhancement
• parking area design
• pedestrian circulation
• contour grading
• soil bioengineering

We provide design teams with guidance relating to:

• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
• erosion control
• storm water management
• material selection for restoration efforts.

Please contact your Region Landscape Architect or the HQ Roadside and Site Development Office for assistance. 

Additional Resources:

• Roadside Policy Manual
• Design Manual
• Roadside Manual

Construction

    
The Region Landscape Architecture or HQ Roadside and Site Development Office:

• Offers assistance during clearing and grubbing activities to determine Save and Protect areas.
• Assists Construction Offices with contour grading inspections and with roadside materials approvals and acceptance.
• Conducts plant, plant layout,
  soil amendment, and plant establishment inspection; as well as provide support to review application methods and techniques as requested by the Construction Office.
• Works closely with the Materials Lab to review roadside materials for approval and acceptance.

Please contact your Region Landscape Architect or the HQ Roadside and Site Development Office for assistance.

Additional Resources:

• Construction Manual
• Standard Specifications
• State Materials Laboratory
• Sampling Procedures for the Inspection of Seed

Maintenance

    
In cooperation with Maintenance and through IVM (Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management) process, we coordinate roadside management strategies and roadside design efforts to assist the Department in meeting its worker and traveler safety, herbicide reduction, and sustainable roadside goals.

IVM tools consist of:

• Biological Control
• Mechanical Control
• Chemical Control
• Cultural Control (creates a self-sustaining ecosystem)

Design is Cultural Weed Control and involves building soil for the appropriate soil biology, texture & structure, using locally adapted native species and applying selective weed control during the Plant Establishment Period.

Prior to a project’s turn over to Maintenance, we’re available to conduct project walk-through’s with Maintenance staff to ensure a smooth transition from plant establishment to vegetation management.

Please contact your Region Landscape Architect or the HQ Roadside and Site Development Office for assistance.

Additional Resources:

• Maintenance Operations Home
• WSDOT Vegetation Management

Policy Development


Our office provides leadership for the Department in sustainable roadside development and preservation. We work with the Construction Office and the Materials Lab to develop Specifications for erosion control, roadside restoration, and materials used on our roadsides.

Our manuals are the Roadside Policy Manual, the Roadside Manual, and we also work on chapters in the Design Manual that involve the roadside.

Please contact Headquarters Roadside and Site Development Office for more information on roadside policy.