Published December 8 2015
Bellevue's Transportation and Utilities departments recently earned reaccreditation from the American Public Works Association. The program recognizes public works agencies that go beyond the requirements of the management practices established by the APWA.
Utilities, first accredited in 2004, was reaccredited for the third time; the Transportation Department earned its second reaccreditation since 2007. Reaccreditation means the departments have met all applicable accreditation documentation and practices over time. During the reaccreditation process in November, a team of public works professionals from California and Missouri completed a thorough evaluation of the departments' operations.
"APWA reaccreditation is important because it helps validate for Bellevue residents that their Transportation and Utilities departments are functioning at a high level compared with their peers nationwide," said Transportation Director Dave Berg. "I'm proud of our staff for their hard work and creativity in carrying out our mission to provide a safe and efficient transportation system."
Transportation Department services include:
- planning, designing and constructing transportation projects;
- maintaining streets and other infrastructure;
- monitoring and managing traffic conditions through an adaptive traffic signal system, a real-time traffic map and network of traffic cameras;
- coordinating with other agencies on regional transportation projects for new development that impacts the transportation system;
- improving neighborhood traffic safety; and
- communicating with the public.
Utilities Director Nav Otal said, "We are pleased that we have again been reaccredited by the APWA. It's confirmation that we are not only effectively delivering daily essential services to all residents of Bellevue, but meeting our mission to support public health and safety, quality neighborhoods and a healthy and sustainable environment and economy."
Utilities Department services include:
- providing safe drinking water to 130,000 customers;
- preventing flooding and wastewater (sewer) backups;
- developing and managing utilities engineering codes and standards;
- providing billing and customer services;
- protecting waterways, streams and lakes from stormwater pollution; and
- providing garbage, recycling and yard waste services.
- encouraging environmental stewardship through water conservation and natural yard care programs, and an emphasis on pollution prevention.
The APWA is a not-for-profit, international organization that promotes professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. It has 63 chapters in North America and more than 28,500 members in the field of public works.