DPW-21-04

Scheduling Service Interruptions

Notice Date:

More Information
Matt Diehl

Note

The information in this notice has been updated in DPW-21-04 REV.

 

Purpose

To state a policy and establish a procedure for scheduling service interruptions in the Department of Public Works (DPW). This policy defines the roles and responsibilities in requesting, coordinating, scheduling, and executing service interruptions related to scheduled and unscheduled DPW operations.

 

Definitions

  • Planned Service Interruptions: An interruption in vital services which can be foreseen, including all new infrastructure, rehabilitation, repair, and maintenance projects with enough lead time to allow them to be accomplished on a non-emergency basis.
  • Emergency Service Interruptions: An interruption in vital services that cannot be foreseen, required when repairs or traffic rerouting must be accomplished immediately to safeguard property and/or health.
  • Full Road Closure: A road closure that does not allow traffic to flow at all in either direction.
  • Partial Road Closure: A road closure that does not allow traffic to flow at all in one of two directions. Usually the closed direction is detoured.
  • Lane Closure: Continuous two-way traffic is maintained but one or more lanes are blocked (includes lane shifts).
  • Flagging Operation: Continuous two-way traffic is maintained by alternating two-way traffic using flagmen/women.
  • Nighttime Full Road Closure: A full road closure that occurs between the hours of 8:00 PM and 5:00 AM.

 

Procedure

Planned Service Interruptions

All planned service interruptions must be reviewed and approved by the Division Head, or designee, of that operation.

Planned County Road Closures

Prohibitions: No planned work shall be performed in the traveled portion of an arterial roadway from 7 AM to 9 AM and/or from 3 PM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, unless otherwise approved by the Traffic Engineering Division.

  • Permit Requirements: All requests for planned county road closures require a permit application to the Bureau of Highways ROW division at least 30 calendar days prior to the planned closure.
  • Public Notification: Notification may consist of message boards, press releases, social media, letters to affected citizens, or public meetings.
  • Approval: The DPW Director must provide written approval for all road closures expected to last more than 24 hours (including cumulative nighttime closures).

Planned County Road Lane Closures

Lane closures on collectors and arterials require review. Approval from the DPW Director is required for lane closures expected to last more than 24 consecutive hours.

Lane Closure Approval Matrix
Road Type> 24 hour closure<= 24 hour closure
ArterialDPW DirectorTED
CollectorDPW DirectorTED
LocalN/AN/A
Lane Closure Review Submission Lead Time Matrix
Road Type> 24 hour closure<= 24 hour closure
Arterial7 day lead time24 hour lead time
Collector7 day lead time24 hour lead time
LocalN/AN/A

Emergency Service Interruptions

Division Heads must notify the Deputy Director, Director, Office of Emergency Management, Police, and Fire. The DPW Customer Service Manager will send out public notification via press release, website, social media, or reverse notification systems (Civic Ready/Code Red).

Restoration of Service

Every attempt shall be made to restore vital services as fast as possible. Any entity that interrupted service must notify the appropriate Division Head when services are restored. Systems must be inspected to ensure devices (valves, switches, etc.) are left in the proper position for normal operation.