The Roadside and Site Development Section is part of the WSDOT Development Division, providing leadership, specialized expertise and development services to WSDOT headquarters, division, and regional offices on issues related to roadside and site development, landscape architecture, visual resources, context sensitive design, environmental mitigation, vegetation and plant establishment, and climate change adaptation.

This office assures that roadside policies are implemented and roadside functions are achieved using a consistent and coordinated approach statewide. It provides the primary resource for landscape architectural services to regions and modes that do not have Landscape Architectural staff (east side regions, rail, ferries, and facilities).

This section also provides services to and other state and local agencies and the public.

Team Mission

The Roadside and Site Development Section provides leadership and services in project development, policy, research, training, analysis, and technical expertise for effective roadside management and project delivery in a way that integrates WSDOT facilities into the natural and built environment, preserves ecosystem and cultural resources, and promotes livable, healthy communities that are able to adapt to a changing climate.

Primary Responsibilities

The Roadside and Site Development Section has primary responsibility for the following:

• Policy development pertaining to roadside functions such as erosion control, stormwater treatment and storage, wetland and other environmental mitigation, soil bioengineering, vegetation management, roadside restoration, plant establishment, and visual resources.
• Assure and guide roadside policy implementation for actions that affect the roadside. Guide roadside project development with region staff and consultants.
• Support WSDOT Sustainable Transportation efforts, and provide leadership for the statewide Integrated Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, WSDOT’s climate impacts vulnerability assessment, and climate impacts preparation and adaptation.
• Provide roadside project development services or oversee consultant work for regions and WSDOT divisions, such as ferries, rail, aviation, and facilities that do not have Landscape Architectural staff. For Regions with LA staff, guide and review plans for consistent policy implementation, quality and accuracy. This includes design of roadside restoration, wetland and stream mitigation, grading, irrigation, universal access/ADA, pedestrian and bike circulation, site design (such as rest areas, park and ride lots, weigh stations and ferry terminals), and visual quality discipline reports, and PS&E development.
• Develop, maintain, and update standards and publications including the Roadside Classification Plan, the Roadside Manual, Standard Specifications & GSP/Amendments for Chapters 8-01, 8-02, 8-03, 9-14, and 9-15, Standard Plans involving roadside items, and sections of other WSDOT manuals, such as the Design Manual and the Construction Manual, that pertain to roadside elements.
• Participate in and contribute to other WSDOT manuals (such as the Design Manual, the Environmental Procedures Manual, and the Highway Run-off Manual) and guidance updates that affect roadside issues. Coordinate with other manual owners. Act as principle contributor to chapter 459 of the Environmental Procedures Manual on visual resource assessment.
• Provide leadership for emerging issues that affect roadside functions such as climate change response through carbon sequestration, genetic provenance of vegetation, soils and plants for water quality and runoff treatment, and wetland and stream mitigation issues.
• Coordinate with maintenance personnel to ensure sustainable roadsides through planning, design, construction, and maintenance practices
• Provide training for WSDOT personnel and outside customers pertaining to roadside issues such as roadside functions, soil bioengineering, context sensitive solutions, universal access/ADA, integrated vegetation management, and planting & irrigation inspection.
• Take training, attend conferences and participate in forums to stay abreast of current technology, meet licensing requirements and provide technology transfer.
• Participate in state and national forums regarding roadside elements such as Washington State Forestry Council, Washington Organics Recycling Council, Society of Ecological Restoration, Society of Wetland Scientists, Low Impact Development Credit Committee (DOE), Scenic America, American Forests, and the International Erosion Control Association.
• Stamping Authority for Roadside Restoration Plans, Grading and Contour Plans, Site Development Plans, Trails and Pathways, Irrigation Plans, and Mitigation Plans (Streams, Wetlands, etc), Standard Plans of roadside elements.
• Provide inspection services for construction phase of roadside and site elements in contracts. Plant establishment oversight and ongoing site management.
• Materials approval for roadside elements.
• Review and analyze legislative bills pertaining to roadside elements and climate change adaptation.
• Review and make recommendations for approval on agreements, franchises, surplus property requests, leases, developer use and other actions relating to aspects that affect the roadside and visual quality.

Technical Assistance

The Roadside and Site Development Section provide subject expertise in roadside issues and provide on-call technical assistance to internal and external customers and the public:

• Contract development for planting, contour grading, irrigation, etc.
• Mitigation of wetlands, streams, steep slopes and other sensitive areas
• Erosion control and water quality treatment facilities
• Context Sensitive Solutions and Complete Streets
• Visual quality assessment for environmental documents and visual element coordination and treatment
• Water quality treatment (soils and vegetation)
• Climate impacts preparation and adaptation
• Pedestrian space and circulation
• Vegetation and soil improvements
• Materials for the roadside (soils, compost, fertilizer, plant material, erosion control materials)
• Roadside functions

Staff Contact

Sandy Salisbury, RLA
Roadside and Site Development Manager
Salisbs@wsdot.wa.gov
Phone: (360)705-7245