Is the City responsible for repairing sidewalks in our neighborhood?

Funding is usually available yearly to rebuild sidewalks in poor condition. Sidewalks are rated by set criteria so that the sidewalks with the worst ratings get priority. Sidewalks included in this program are locations where blocks of sidewalk are in poor condition. If your sidewalk is in need of repair, call the Department of Public Works Services at 817-459-6550.

If the block of the sidewalk is generally in good condition with small areas in need of repair, the Department of Public Works Services will coordinate with the Department of Public Works, Street Division for spot repair. The criteria used by the Street Division for spot repair is 2 inches of vertical separation between sections of sidewalk. The Street Division may be reached at 817-459-5434.

Will the city install sidewalks in my neighborhood?

To make a new sidewalk request, call the Department of Public Works at 817-459-6350. Funding is usually available yearly to construct new sidewalks. Requests will be evaluated by the Department of Public Works based on pedestrian counts. At this time, priority is given to locations that serve schools. If the request meets criteria and the new sidewalk location is approved, the Department of Public Works will administer the construction contract to install the new sidewalk.

How do I get a pothole fixed?

To have a pothole repaired, call the Department of Public Works, Street Division at 817-459- 5434 with the location. If the pothole is hazardous, it will usually be repaired the same day as the request. Otherwise, the normal turn around is three days.

How do I request that a street be repaired or reconstructed?

To make a repair request, call the Department of Public Works, Street Division at 817-459-5434. There are various methods of repair and your request will be evaluated to determine the type of repair needed. If the street is in very poor condition, it may qualify for reconstruction under the street rebuild program. This program is administered by the Department of Public Works and can be reached at 817-459-6550.

How do I find out what the schedule is for major street construction?

If the project is a large street that is being widened or reconstructed, contact the Department of Public Works at 817-459-6550. If the construction is a small repair area, contact the Department of Public Works, Street Division at 817-459-5434.

How do I find out information on a particular street project under construction?

If you have a question regarding when a particular street will be widened, call the Department of Public Works at 817-459-6550 to find out the proposed schedule.

The scheduling of the street construction is based on many factors, the primary factor being funding. Street construction projects are generally funded by bonds approved by the citizens in bond elections usually held every four to five years. A citizens’ bond committee is appointed by City Council to determine the projects that will be included in the bond election. The most recent bond election was held in January 1999. Each year, the City Council determines the projects that will be funded from the projects approved in the bond election. This process is the capital budget process that typically begins late in each calendar year.

Who do I call about a broken traffic signal?

If you need to report a broken traffic signal call the Department of Public Works at 817-459-5400 or 9-1-1 if outside of business hours.

What is the process to get a stop sign or signal installed in our neighborhood?

If you would like to have a stop sign or signal installed in your neighborhood, talk with an engineer in the Department of Public Works at 817-459-5400. The engineer will instigate a warrant study which takes several variables into consideration. The results of the study will determine if a sign or signal is needed.

Who do we call to cut overgrown trees or shrubs blocking an intersection?

Property owners are responsible for maintaining all vegetation in their front yard (trees, grass, bushes, etc.), between the property line and the curb and/or street. A visibility triangle is an area inside property lines where an object with a height greater than two feet or less than seven feet is allowed within city right-of-way. Trees should be trimmed 14 feet above roadways and 7 feet above non-street features (i.e., sidewalks and/or parkway areas behind the curb). The City is not able to cut down trees in the areas with utility lines. In that case the utility company must be contacted.

How can we identify our neighborhood through use of signs?

A neighborhood may have toppers for the street name signs to identify their area. The neighborhood must design the logo and it must be approved by the City. The minimum order for the signs is 10 and the neighborhood is required to pay for the installation and the maintenance cost. The current cost is $60 per topper.

A sign identifying your neighborhood may be installed within the property line of one’s property. However, the sign must be approved by the Department of Public Works.

For more information regarding street toppers, contact Traffic Operations, at 817-459-5400. For other signs, call the Department of Public Works 817-459-6379.

How do we get a "children at play" sign installed in our neighborhood?

The City of Arlington no longer installs "children at play" signs. "Children at play" signs can give neighborhood children a false sense of security.

How can we get streetlights in our neighborhood?

Streetlights are installed for traffic safety purposes. The City may consider installing additional streetlights in established neighborhoods if the current ones are at least 600 feet apart. If there is an intersection, dip or curve that does not have a streetlight, the City will consider a request.

A request must be accompanied by a form provided by the City with signatures of 80% of the property owners within 200 feet of the light.

If the request is approved there is no cost to the property owner.

If you or your neighborhood organization is interested in having streetlights installed in your neighborhood, contact the Department of Public Works at 817-459-6350.

Who do I call when the streetlight on my street is burned out?

If you need to report a burned out streetlight, call the Department of Public Works at 817-459-6350. The request is assessed within three working days after it is received and processed. The length of time for replacement varies based upon the extent of damage to be repaired.

What can my neighborhood do about speeding cars?

For immediate response, contact the Police Department at 9-1-1. If the problem persists, contact the Department of Public Works at 817-459-6350 to discuss available options. Options available at present are warning signs, additional speed limit signs, and speed cushions.

What is the right-of-way and who is responsible for maintaining it?

The right-of-way is the area extending from the right and left of the center line of the road bed or paved surface to the nearest property line. That typically includes, but is not limited to, curbs, sidewalks, walkways, drainage ditches, borrow ditches, and any other areas owned, dedicated, used or reserved for public use. The city is responsible for maintaining the right-of-way if it is a median. Property owners are responsible for their property to edge of curb per city ordinance. If you have other questions regarding rights-of-ways please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 817-804-0523.

Who is responsible for mowing the grassy area between the sidewalk and the street?

The property owner is responsible for the grassy strip between the sidewalk and the street. The property owner is responsible for maintaining all vegetation (trees, grass, bushes, etc.) between the property line and the curb and/or street. Also, the property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the area behind the fence, but inside the sidewalk. For additional information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 817-804-0523.

Who is responsible for maintaining the medians?

Maintenance of the medians is usually the responsibility of the City’s Park and Recreation Department. Medians are scheduled for mowing every two weeks beginning March 1 through the fall. 

For additional information or to report concerns regarding the maintenance of medians, median trees and irrigation systems, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 817-804-0523.

How do I get a median mowed?

If a median needs to be mowed, contact the Parks and Recreation Department with a detailed description of the problem and the address of the median. The medians are mowed every two weeks from spring to fall. However, if there is a concern that one has not been maintained contact the Parks Department at 817-804-0523.

Can my neighborhood organization plant trees along streets in our neighborhood?

Tree planting on private property does not need the approval of the City. However, if you want to plant trees in the right-of-way, between the curb and the sidewalk, you will need the approval of multiple city departments and must have a right-of-way agreement executed. If the planting is approved, it is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain any plantings.

For additional information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 817-804-0523.

How do we change the name of a street in our neighborhood?

If you or your organization would like to submit a name change for a street in your neighborhood, contact the Department of Public Works at 817-459-6350. Once the request is received, the Department of Public Works will check with the Building Inspections Division, 9-1-1, and the Post Office for any objections. If there are no objections, surveys are mailed to the property owners on the street, and the City Council votes whether to change the street name.

Does the City routinely clean streets in my neighborhood?

The Street Division owns one street sweeper, which is used to sweep in advance of our preventive maintenance programs and in emergency situations. The preventive maintenance is a chip, fog, crack or micro seal put on streets which extends the life of the street three to five years.

The City also has two contracts, which provide limited sweeping in the Entertainment District, on residential streets, at major arterial street intersections, at the landfill and at the airport. Currently, there is no program established to regularly sweep arterial streets. The city is divided into 13 districts. The streets are scheduled each year based upon need. The districts with trees which produce a large number of leaves, such as pecan trees, are swept in the winter months. Additionally, a street may be ranked according to the number of complaints received by the department. If that is the case, it will be the next street to be cleaned. In the case of dangerous material on the street, contact the Street Division at 817-459-5434.

What is HANDITRAN and who can use it?

HANDITRAN is a door to door, demand responsive transportation in mini-buses and taxi cabs specifically for senior citizens and citizens with disabilities. HANDITRAN operates a demand response service and provides no same day service. All trips must be scheduled at least one day in advance, and may be scheduled up to six (6) days in advance. The exact fare is required as HANDITRAN drivers do not carry change. In lieu of cash payment, trip tickets may also be purchased. Books of 12 tickets are available from the drivers or the HANDITRAN office. For frequent riders, monthly Handi-Passes are available. Unused tickets and passes are not refundable. For costs check the HANDITRAN's web site.

For further information contact HANDITRAN at 817-459-5390 or visit their offices at 501 West Sanford Street, Suite 10.

How do we close a street for a block party?

If you want to temporarily close a portion of a public street, you must obtain a permit from the City of Arlington’s Department of Public Works. A petition must be signed by everyone whose property faces the street that is to be closed. A street can only be closed for a maximum of 8 hours and the City requests a week’s notice prior to the event. Also, there is a $40 fee for closing a street.

For more information, contact the Department of Public Works at 817-459-6350.