Engineering Division

The Design and Construction Section focuses on delivering county road projects and capital improvement projects such as replacing aging infrastructure, improving fish passage, and addressing mobility needs by doing large projects that address traffic calming and improved capacity.

This section is responsible for project phases from concept to completion which includes managing consultant teams, requisitioning and reviewing reports, progression of design and review, overseeing construction and construction inspection, documentation and closeout, and communication with WSDOT and other funding agencies.  These projects are funded by Federal, State, and Local Grants, the County Road Fund or they may be funded by the Road Operations, Natural Resources, including the County’s drainage utility, and Parks.

Besides their main project focus, they work cooperatively with other divisions to problem solve issues throughout the county. They also are working on updating CAD and design standards.

The Transportation Programs Section covers a wide range of responsibilities. They program future projects for the design team which entails initial scoping, grant applications and tracking. They respond to service requests, research traffic safety conditions and traffic investigations.

This team also has an emphasis on asset management which includes our bridge inspection program, pavement management program, and traffic counts.  As with many agencies mandated reporting is necessary, this team coordinates, gathers and writes the reports that are required by Federal Agencies, WSDOT and the County Road Administration Board (CRAB). This team also addresses overweight oversized permits for our roadways.

The pavement management program is part of our required reporting. However, this program is essential to the health of our roads. All roads are assessed annually and rated for condition. This program helps guide the County to which roads get scheduled for an overlay or chip seal and at what interval.

The Development Review Section is responsible for development review and utility permitting functions to ensure that new developments and work performed within the County right of way by others are in compliance with Skagit County ordinances and standards regarding roadways and drainage.

Responsibilities include:

• Review all land use projects to ensure compliance with the Road Standards, Utility Policy, Drainage Design Standards, Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington, and the Low Impact Development Technical Guidance Manual for Puget Sound.
• Ensure compliance with all County Ordinances and Resolutions.
• Administer access permits, utility permits, unopened right-of-way permits, and process right-of-way vacations.
• Ensure that all road construction projects, for both public and private roads, within unincorporated Skagit are built in compliance with the approved projects plans, specification, and hearing examiner requirements.