Engineering Division
Newcastle's engineering division staff facilitate capital projects to improve the city's streets, traffic and pedestrian movement, and other critical infrastructure. We consistently monitor the condition of the city's streetscapes for planning and prioritization.
Many privately funded developments are under construction throughout the city, and this division provides engineering review on these projects prior to construction. Engineering division staff also work to prevent erosion and landslides by stabilizing disturbed slopes on public property.
Surface Water Management Division
This division continuously works toward maintaining and improving the quality of our natural waterways as well as addressing flooding concerns. When rain flows across impervious surfaces such as rooftops, pavement and sidewalks, it picks up sediment and pollutants before it flows into our storm water conveyance system and into our natural waterways. Storm water can cause flooding, impact water quality and affect our streets. The Surface Water Management division manages storm water runoff to prevent damage to people and property as well as to maintain and enhance our natural environment.
Efforts of the division include: surface water development review and inspections, ensuring maintenance of publicly and privately maintained storm water systems, water quality monitoring and assessment and public education and outreach programs.
Parks and Trails Division
Newcastle’s staff facilitates improvements to city parks and trails, including capital projects. The City strives to provide access to public open space for residence to enjoy, and to preserve open space for natural systems to flourish.
In addition to working with private developers, consultants and contractors, city staff also coordinates with local volunteer organizations to help improve and maintain city open space. Newcastle Trails, the Newcastle Historic Society, and the Weed Warriors are a few of the organizations whose efforts benefit the community. The Community Activities Commission also engages in parks and trails related planning efforts.
Maintenance and Facilities Divisions
Staff in this division maintain roads, city property and other infrastructure. We make minor street repairs, maintain irrigation systems, improve the functionality of public storm drainage systems and inspect potentially hazardous trees. Staff in this division plow the city's roads in conformance with a Snow and Ice Priority Route Map.
We're now using a new map that is still in its draft form. In this one, the priorities are numbered from one to five, with Priority 1 streets representing major arterials. We've added a Priority 5 in this edition, which represents mostly local streets with steep hills. During snow events, city crews’ first priorities are roadways that transport large volumes of traffic. Crews will try and fit in neighborhood streets as they're able, but not before priority routes are clear.
View the Snow-and-Ice Priority Map at newcastlewa.gov/snowmap.