Public Works

The mission of the Public Works Department is to provide essential public services by designing, building, maintaining, and preserving public infrastructure that enhances the quality of life for the people of Tacoma in a fair, responsive, sustainable, and equitable manner. Public Works does this through an open and engaged partnership with customers, cost-effective services, and a consistent approach to satisfying the needs of the community.

Questions?

Call 311 within Tacoma or (253) 591-5000 from anywhere else.

Abandoned Automobiles Parking Potholes Alley Grading and Maintenance Graffiti on Signal Box/Street Signs/Bridges Traffic Signs-Missing or Damaged Streetlight Outage Traffic Signal Outage Sidewalks Traffic Calming Crosswalk and Pedestrian Safety Issues Other Issues

Tacoma Streets Initiative I Tacoma Streets Initiative II Transportation Benefit District Transportation and Mobility Plan Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program Vision Zero Capital Facilities Plan 2025-2030 Transportation Impact Fees

Department Divisions

Engineering

The Engineering Division is responsible for project and program management for the City’s transportation and capital facilities projects, including road construction projects, Sidewalk Program, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Program, Local Improvement District Program, and Bridge Operations and Maintenance Program.

Visit Engineering’s web page.

Questions?

Phone: (253) 591-5188

Facilities Management

The Facilities Management Division provides Real Property, Facilities Maintenance, Fleet, and Capital Project Improvement services. Real Property Services manages Right-of-Way Property Sales, Property Acquisitions, Easements, and Property Management. Facilities Maintenance provides service and maintenance to General Government facilities, including Fire, Police, Community Service, Public Works, and the Municipal Complex. Fleet Services supports the City’s transportation requirements for the General Government by managing a safe, efficient, cost-effective, diversified fleet of vehicles and construction equipment.

Visit Facilities Management’s web page.

Questions?

Phone: (253) 591-5260

Street Operations

The Street Operations Division manages several programs, including Street Repair and Maintenance, Grounds Maintenance, Signs & Markings, and Emergency Response. Street Operations is responsible for the operation and maintenance of 864 lane miles of arterial streets, 8,020 blocks of residential streets, 38,000 street signs, 19 City-owned parks, and 15.5 miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails.

Visit Street Operations’ web page.

Questions?

Phone: (253) 591-5495

Transportation

The Transportation Division is responsible for leading the planning, development, and maintenance of a transportation system that realizes the vision of the Transportation Master Plan through various programs, including Vision Zero, Traffic Calming, Safe Routes to School, Active Transportation, Parking, Abandoned Automobiles, Traffic Signals, and Streetlights.

Visit Transportation’s web page.

Questions?

Phone: (253) 254-2073

Capital Projects Capital Projects Map Capital Facilities Plan Map Sidewalk Program Right-of-Way Design Manual Standard Plans ADA Design Guidance Traffic Control Handbook Real Property Services Streetlight Replacement Project Mobility Options Snow Route Map

Department Director

Meet the Director

Public Works Director

Jeffrey A. Jenkins

As Public Works Department Director for the City of Tacoma, Jeffrey (Jeff) Jenkins is responsible for the City’s facilities management and real property services, street operations and grounds maintenance, streetlights and traffic signals, capital projects, design and construction services, fleet services, parking management, active transportation and traffic safety programs, commercial vehicle enforcement, and local improvement districts. More than 300 City staff are employed with the Public Works Department, which has a 2025/2026 adopted Biennial Budget of $231 million. The City of Tacoma Public Works Department is accredited by the American Public Works Association.

Jeff brings to the position a variety of professional experience from a wide range of jobs. As the Assistant Public Works Director for the City of Tacoma for the past 11 years, he oversaw Public Works’ complex initiatives and operations of our four (4) divisions and served as Public Works Facilities Management Division Manager for five years, where he oversaw the City’s Real Property Services, Fleet Services, Capital Project, and Facility Maintenance sections.

Prior to joining the City in 2008, Jeff served as a Regional Director of Engineering for Equity Office Properties in Seattle where he managed the operations and maintenance of 17 million square feet of high-rise office buildings in Seattle, Bellevue, Portland, and Denver. Before joining Equity, he managed the operations of a container terminal for APM Terminals Tacoma. Also, Jeff retired in 2009 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves after serving in combat and general engineering assignments for 22 years in various locations around the world, including the first and second Gulf Wars.