The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department has plenty to celebrate during National Public Works Week, May 21 – 27, with its ongoing work maintaining more than 5,000 culverts, nearly 1,400 miles of unincorporated roadway, 200 bridge structures, 26 road signs, and managing multiple reservoirs and water treatment systems.
This year was a little different, though. Severe back-to-back winter storms created a demanding environment that was not business as usual – except that we’re talking about Public Works, a department that is ready for anything.
This past winter’s storms, faced by all San Luis Obispo County residents, make the 2023 National Public Works Week especially meaningful for the County’s 300 Public Works staff.
The department was called on to respond to the fallout of 12 atmospheric rivers resulting in two federal emergency declarations.
Staff removed debris from 287 county roads and made 199 site repairs, working 24 hours a day, often throughout the night.
County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department is comprised of 13 divisions, plus a stormwater program.