Boston Public Works Department - Boston, MA

Maintaining Boston's Infrastructure

The Boston Public Works Department (PWD) is the municipal agency responsible for the care and maintenance of the city's physical infrastructure. Located at 1 City Hall Square, the department ensures that Boston's streets, sidewalks, and bridges are safe, clean, and accessible for all. 🚧 From filling potholes to managing snow removal during winter storms, the PWD plays a vital role in the daily lives of residents. The department oversees a vast network of roadways and is also responsible for the city's street lighting system, keeping neighborhoods well-lit and secure.

Waste Reduction and Services

• Trash and Recycling: The PWD manages the residential curbside collection of trash and recycling. They provide resources for household hazardous waste disposal and leaf and yard waste collection. ♻️
• Street Cleaning: To keep neighborhoods clean, the department operates a street sweeping program (April through November), which requires residents to adhere to posted parking restrictions.
• Permitting: The PWD issues permits for street occupancy, excavations, and construction dumpsters. Contractors and residents planning work that impacts the public right-of-way must file for approval here.
• Snow Operations: During winter, the PWD coordinates the plowing and salting of city streets, implementing snow emergency parking bans when necessary. ❄️

Resident Resources

Residents can report non-emergency issues such as missed trash pickups, damaged sidewalks, or outages in street lights directly to the PWD through the city's 311 system. The department advocates for a ”Vision Zero” approach, aiming to eliminate fatal and serious traffic crashes on Boston streets through better design and maintenance. Visitors to City Hall can access the Permitting Office for in-person services, although many applications are now available online. 🗑️ 💡 🛣️