The Roadside and Site Development Section is part of the WSDOT Design Office, providing leadership, specialized expertise and development services to WSDOT headquarters and regional offices on issues related to roadside and site development, landscape architecture, visual resources, context sensitive design, environmental mitigation and horticulture. This office assures that roadside functions are achieved using a consistent and coordinated approach statewide. This section also provides services to 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.
Primary Responsibilities
The Roadside and Site Development Section has primary responsibility for the following:
- Policy development pertaining to roadside functions such as universal access/ADA, vegetation management, roadside restoration, visual resources, wetland and other environmental mitigation, and plant establishment.
- Assure and guide roadside policy implementation. Guide roadside project development with region staff and consultants.
- 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 that pertain to roadside elements.
- Participate in and contribute to other WSDOT manual and guidance updates that affect roadside issues. Coordinate with other manual owners.
- Provide leadership for emerging issues that effect roadside functions such as climate change response through carbon sequestration, genetic provenance of vegetation, soils and plants for water quality and runoff, and wetland and stream mitigation issues.
- Propose, oversee and conduct research pertaining to roadside issues and elements.
- Provide training for WSDOT personnel and outside customers pertaining to roadside and horticultural issues such as soil bioengineering, context sensitive solutions, universal access/ADA, integrated vegetation management, and planting & irrigation inspection.
- Provide roadside project development services or oversee consultant work for regions and WSDOT divisions 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, irrigation, pedestrian and bike circulation, sites (such as rest areas, park and ride lots, weigh stations and ferry terminals), and visual quality assessment studies. PS&E development.
- Take training and attend conferences 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, Scenic America, American Forests, TRB Landscape and Environmental Committee (AFB40)
- 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.
- Horticulture training and services to Maintenance personnel.
- 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.
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:
- Roadside functions
- Roadside and Site development
- Vegetation and soil improvements
- Pedestrian space and circulation
- Universal access/ADA
- Contract development for planting, contour grading, irrigation, etc.
- Erosion control
- Context Sensitive Solutions
- Visual quality and visual elements
- Horticultural issues
- Materials for the roadside (compost, fertilizer, plant material, erosion control materials)
- Weed control, pesticide application consultation
Staff Contacts
Sally Anderson, Manager
360-705-7242
anderss@wsdot.wa.gov
- Roadside policy and standards, manual owner
- Technical expert for Universal Access/ADA
- Stamping authority for roadside plans
- Approve roadside products
- Develop and oversee research
- Provide training: Roadside Policy and Functions, ADA, Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS), and visual quality
Sandy Salisbury, Region Liaison Landscape Architect
360-705-7245
salisb@wsdot.wa.gov
- defacto Landscape Architect for SC, NC, Eastern Regions, and other HQ offices
- visual impact assessment
- compost specification and training
- community forestry
- climate change adaptation team
Fred Wepfer, Roadside Design Specialist
360-705-7265
wepferf@wsdot.wa.gov
- Irrigation
- Project Design
- Assist construction inspection
Susan Buis, State Horticulturist
360-705-7250
buiss@wsdot.wa.gov
- Horticultural services
- Hazard tree assessment
- Construction and maintenance training