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CITY STREETS AS PART OF STATE HIGHWAYS
The jurisdiction, control, and duty of the state and city or town for
city streets that are a part of state highways is specified in RCW 47.24.020;
however, the implementing WAC's, directives and manuals have been subject
to interpretation. This report documents agreed upon guidelines that have
been reached by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
and the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) on the interpretation of
construction, operations and maintenance responsibilities of WSDOT and cities
for such city streets.
These agreed upon guidelines are derived from:
-- The draft Task Force Report on City Streets As Part Of State Highway.
-- Response to the legislative change that increased the 15,000 city
population threshold to a 22,500 population threshold for state versus
city responsibilities for certain maintenance responsibilities contained
in RCW 47.24.
-- Additional discussions by the Department, AWC and several cities
on the interpretation of state versus local agency maintenance responsibilities
that are illustrated in figures contained in WAC 468-18-050 and on other
maintenance responsibilities for city streets that are part of state highways.
These guidelines are designed to facilitate the allocation of maintenance
responsibilities between the WSDOT and Washington Cities pursuant to RCW
47.24. The guidelines of this report are not intended to reflect past practices
but to apply to future practices. They are general in nature and do not
preclude the WSDOT and individual cities from entering into agreements to
address particular circumstances.
These agreed upon guidelines will be incorporated in WSDOT manuals and related
guidance for maintenance, operations, and construction activities. AWC will
distribute copies of this report to their members. |
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| AGREED UPON GUIDELINES |
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The agreed upon guidelines of State and city responsibilities for city
streets that are part of state highways are contained in the following tables:
- Table 1, City/State Maintenance Responsibilities
For City Streets As Part Of The State Highway System
- Table 2, City/State Maintenance Responsibilities
Of Bridges That Convey Non-Limited Access State Highways That Are Also
City Streets (Unless Otherwise Covered Under A Separate Agreement)
- Table 3, State Owned Bridges That Convey City
Or County Traffic Over A Limited Access Or Non-Limited Access Highway Corridor
(Does Not Apply To City Or County Owned Bridges)
The following is an explanation of selected items of the above tables
that are related to specific sections of RCW 47.24 and to WAC 468-18-050: |
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| 1. Guardrail (Barriers) Maintenance |
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Background: RCW 47.24.020(2) states that "The city or town
shall exercise full responsibility for and control over any such street
beyond the curbs and if no curb is installed, beyond that portion of the
highway used for highway purposes." The statement "...used for
highway purposes..." has led to differing interpretations of WSDOT
and local agency responsibilities for the maintenance of guardrail.
Agreed Upon Guideline: Traffic barriers installed on state highways
in areas without curbs shall be maintained by the WSDOT. Traffic barriers
installed beyond the curb shall be maintained by the cities. Curb in the
context of RCW 47.24.020(2) refers to a standard curb and gutter and not
to extruded curb such as those placed on fill sections for erosion control.
Guardrail, concrete barriers, impact attenuators and similar devices are
all considered to be traffic barriers.
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| 2. Parallel Ditches and Cross Culverts |
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Background: The issue is clarification of what is meant by the
RCW 47.24.020(2) statement "...for highway purposes..." for use
in interpreting responsibilities of WSDOT and local agencies for maintenance
of parallel ditches and cross culverts. Also at issue is responsibility
for grass lined swale construction for water treatment purposes as compared
to a ditch solely for drainage purpose. In addition a distinction needs
to be made between cross culverts related to streams and maintaining natural
flows as opposed to those constructed for storm drainage.
Agreed Upon Guideline:. Within all cities, regardless of population,
the state shall solely maintain the structural integrity of box culverts,
multiplates and individual culverts greater than 60 inches in width that
are within rights of way and are not part of an enclosed drainage system.
These are the size appropriate to identify natural stream flows. These
structures that are less than 60 inches in width will be maintained by
the cities. Cities shall maintain all other parallel roadside ditches and
road approach culverts. Grass-lined swales constructed by the state solely
for state highway runoff will be maintained by the WSDOT.
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| 3. Betterments - Pavement Markings |
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Background: RCW 47.24.020(13) provides that cities and towns
having a population greater than 22,500 are responsible to install, maintain,
operate and control all traffic control devices. This has been interpreted
to mean that the city or town must replace pavement markings and similar
devices when a street is resurfaced (i.e., these markings are not included
in the project costs). The issue is that a WSDOT project may destroy very
recently installed pavement markings that, especially if they are durable
markings (e.g., thermoplastic, raised pavement markers, etc.), involve
expense to the city. The cities recommend that in-kind replacement of these
markings be a part of the project costs.
Agreed Upon Guideline: As a part of State reconstruction/resurfacing
projects the State will replace in-kind at no cost to the local agency
only pavement markings that are damaged or removed as a result of the reconstruction
or resurfacing project. This does not apply to durable pavement markings
that have exceeded their useful life. Installation of higher quality pavement
markings will be at the expense of the city.
Early communication and plan reviews between WSDOT and the city is essential
to enable local agencies to avoid installation of pavement markings, especially
the more durable markings, shortly before the construction activity takes
place.
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| 4. Snow Plowing |
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Background: At issue is the meaning of the phrase in RCW 47.24.020(6)
that states "...except that the state shall when necessary plow the
snow on the roadway." This statute states that the city or town, at
its expense, is responsible for snow removal. The meaning of "when
necessary" and responsibility of snow plowing versus snow removal
needed clarification.
Agreed Upon Guideline: RCW 47.24.020(6) provides that the cities
have responsibility for snow removal within their jurisdiction and that
the State shall, when necessary, plow the snow on the roadway. The meaning
of "when necessary" is that the State will plow snow, with city
concurrence, on the traveled lane of the state highway on the way through
the cities not having adequate snow plowing equipment.
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Table 1
City/State Maintenance Responsibilities For City Streets As Part Of The
State Highway System |
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Maintenance Item |
Cities Over 22,500 |
Cities Under 22,500 |
| Roadway Surface |
State |
State |
| Roadway Shoulders |
State |
State |
| Stability of Cut & Fill Slopes |
City |
State |
| Sidewalks |
City |
City |
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| Curbs |
State |
State |
| Parallel Roadside Ditches |
City |
City |
| Road Approach Culverts |
City |
City |
| Cross Culverts |
City [3] |
City [3] |
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| Snow Plowing |
See Note [4] |
See Note [4] |
| Sanding & De-icing |
City |
City |
| Snow Removal |
City |
City |
| Sand Removal |
City |
City |
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| Channelization |
City [1] |
State |
| Crosswalks |
City [1] |
State |
| Striping |
City [1] |
State |
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| Directional Signs/ Route Markers |
State |
State |
| Parking Signs |
City |
City |
| Regulatory Signs |
City |
State |
| Stop Signs (Intersecting Streets) |
City |
State [7] |
| Signals |
City |
State |
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| Guardrail, Concrete Barrier, Impact Attenuators,
etc. |
State/City [2] |
State/City [2] |
| Illumination |
City [6] |
City [6] |
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| Street Cleaning |
City |
City |
| Street Sweeping |
City |
City |
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| Vegetation |
City |
City |
| Noxious Weeds |
City [5] |
City [5] |
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| R/W Encroachments |
City |
City |
| R/W Cleanup |
City |
City |
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| Utility Franchises |
City |
City |
| Underground Facilities |
City |
City |
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[1] As a part of State reconstruction/resurfacing
projects the State will replace in-kind at no cost to the local agency
only pavement markings that are damaged or removed as a result of the reconstruction
or resurfacing project. This does not apply to durable markings that have
exceeded their useful life. Installation of higher quality pavement markings
will be at the expense of the city. Early communication and plan reviews
between WSDOT and the city is essential to enable local agencies to avoid
installation of pavement markings, especially the more durable markings,
shortly before the construction activity takes place.
[2] Traffic barriers installed on state highways
in areas without curbs shall be maintained by the WSDOT. Traffic barriers
installed beyond the curb shall be maintained by the cities. Curb in the
context of RCW 47.24.020(2) refers to a standard curb and gutter and not
to extruded curb such as those placed on fill sections for erosion control.
Guardrail, concrete barriers, impact attenuators and similar devices are
all considered to be traffic barriers.
[3] Within all cities, regardless of population,
the state shall solely maintain the structural integrity of box culverts,
multiplates and individual culverts greater than 60 inches in width that
are within rights of way and are not part of an enclosed drainage system.
These are the size appropriate to identify natural stream flows. These
structures that are less than 60 inches in width will be maintained by
the cities. Cities shall maintain all other parallel roadside ditches and
road approach culverts. Grass-lined swales constructed by the state solely
for state highway runoff will be maintained by the WSDOT.
[4] RCW 47.24.020 (6) provides that the cities
have responsibility for snow removal within their jurisdiction and that
the State shall, when necessary, plow the snow on the roadway. The meaning
of "when necessary" is that the State will plow snow, with city
concurrence, on the traveled lane of the state highway on the way through
the cities not having adequate snow plowing equipment.
[5] RCW 47.24.020(2) states the city or town shall
exercise full responsibility for and control over any such street beyond
the curbs and, if no curb is installed, beyond that portion of the highway
used for highway purposes and, thus, are responsible for noxious weed control.
[6] The state has responsibility for maintenance
of illumination systems within fully access controlled areas. In addition,
the State may, with city concurrence, maintain and operate luminaires at
locations where the electrical service powers electrical equipment under
both State and City responsibility.
[7] WSDOT, with city concurrence, may install
stop signs and posts to the city's standards or may contract with the city
to have them perform these installations.
Return to Table 1
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Table 2
City/State Maintenance Responsibilities Of Bridges That Convey Non-Limited
Access State Highways That Are Also City Streets (Unless Otherwise Covered
Under A Separate Agreement)
(This table provides an interpretation of the figures of WAC 468-18-050) |
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Maintenance Item |
Cities Over 22,500 |
Cities Under 22,500 |
| Structural Related Bridge Maintenance |
State |
State |
| Bridge Condition Inspections |
State |
State |
| L/C Overlays on Structures |
State |
State |
| Bridge Deck Membranes |
State |
State |
| Structural Asphalt Overlay on Bridge |
State |
State |
| Non-Structural Asphalt Overlay on Bridge |
State |
State |
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| Approach Slab |
State |
State |
| Bridge Deck Joints |
State |
State |
| Bridge Railing |
State |
State |
| Graffiti |
City |
City |
| Deck Sweeping |
City |
City |
| Bridge Drains/Drainage |
City |
State |
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| Striping |
City |
State |
| Illumination |
City [2] |
City [2] |
| Snow Plowing |
See Note [1] |
See Note [1] |
| Snow Removal |
City |
City |
[1] RCW 47.24.020(6) provides that the cities
have responsibility for snow removal within their jurisdiction and that
the State shall, when necessary, plow the snow on the roadway. The meaning
of "when necessary" is that the State will plow snow, with city
concurrence, on the traveled lane of the state highway on the way through
the cities not having adequate snow plowing equipment.
[2] The state has responsibility for maintenance
of illumination systems within fully access controlled areas. In addition,
the State may, with city concurrence, maintain and operate luminaires at
locations where the electrical service powers electrical equipment under
both State and City responsibility.
Return to Table 2
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Table 3
State Owned Bridges That Convey City Or County Traffic Over A Limited Access
Or Non-Limited Access Highway Corridor (Does Not Apply To City Or County
Owned Bridges)
(This table provides an interpretation of the figures of WAC 468-18-050) |
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Maintenance Item |
City / State |
County / State |
| Structural Related Bridge Maintenance |
State |
State |
| Bridge Condition Inspections |
State |
State |
| LMC Overlays on Structures |
State |
State |
| Bridge Deck Membranes |
State |
State |
| Structural Asphalt Overlay on Bridge |
State |
State |
| Non-Structural Asphalt Overlay on Bridge |
City [1] |
County [1] |
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| Approach Slab |
City [2] |
County [2] |
| Bridge Deck Joints |
See Note [3] |
See Note [3] |
| Bridge Railing |
State |
State |
| Graffiti |
City |
County |
| Deck Sweeping |
City |
County |
| Bridge Drains/Drainage |
City |
County |
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| Striping |
City |
County |
| Illumination |
City |
County |
| Snow Plowing |
City |
County |
| Snow Removal |
City |
County |
[1] Cities/counties should obtain the states concurrence
prior to performing non-structural asphalt deck overlays on state owned
structures.
[2] Approach slab maintenance is the primary responsibility
of the city/county. In the case where the state performs a structural overlay
on the bridge deck, the state may extend the overlay onto the approach
slab to smooth traffic flow.
[3] Joints located on the bridge deck are the
responsibility of the state. Back of pavement seat joint repairs are the
responsibility of the city/county unless they affect the structural integrity
of the bridge.
The State has full maintenance responsibility for bridges conveying
a State Route or Interstate traffic in a limited access corridor (unless
otherwise covered under a separate agreement).
Return to Table 3
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| ATTACHMENT
Figures of WAC 468-18-050 |
CONCURRENCES:
With the concurrence of WSDOT Executive Management, this report will be
transmitted to WSDOT Assistant Secretaries and Regional Administrators and
to the Association of Washington Cities for implementation of the agreed
upon guidelines.
Respectfully submitted for acceptance, |
/s/ Dave Dye
Maintenance Engineer
Field Operations Support
Service Center |
/s/ Dennis B. Ingham
Assistant Secretary
TransAid Service Center |
/s/ Craig Olson
Transportation Coord.
Assoc. of Washington Cities |
CONCURRENCES WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACCEPTANCE: |
/s/ John Conrad
Assistant Secretary
Field Operations Support
Service Center |
/s/ E. R. "Skip" Burch
Assistant Secretary
Environmental & Engineering
Service Center |
RECOMMENDATIONS ACCEPTED: |
/s/ Stan Finkelstein
Executive Director
Assoc. of Washington Cities |
/s/ S. A. Moon
Deputy Secretary for Operations
Department of Transportation |
| Final Report - April 30, 1997 |
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