When are excavation permits granted for work in the right-of-way?

Generally, the paved areas of the right-of-way are closed to excavations after December 1 and are not opened by the Director of Public Works until April 1.  The opening dates may be adjusted up to three weeks on either side of April 1, each year at the discretion of the Director.  Factors contributing to the adjusting opening date for excavation include the severity of the winter, depth of frost, amount of snowfall and/or rainfall, and temperature variations that have occurred during "mud season".

The Director of Public Works may grant permission for emergency excavations in the right-of-way during the period of excavation closure.  The owner or contractor will be expected to post a bond covering the cost of complete restoration and any interim repairs to the street or right-of-way in the winter.  The contractor will be expected to return to the site to rehabilitate the excavated area as soon as possible after the opening of excavation period the following spring.  Only after the excavation is rehabilitated to the satisfaction of the Director will the performance bond be released.