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700 5
th
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Suite 3800 Fax: (206) 684-5180
PO Box 34996 Hearing Impaired use the Washington Relay Service (7-1-1)
Seattle, Washington 98124-4996 www.seattle.gov/transportation
City of Seattle
Edward B. Murray, Mayor

Department of Transportation
Goran Sparrman, Interim Director


July 21, 2014

Recipients Name
Company Name (if applicable)
Mailing Address
City, STATE Zip Code

Dear XXXX,

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will perform maintenance work this August and
September on many of the non-arterial streets in Arbor Heights. This work, referred to as
microsurfacing, will increase the life of the existing pavement and provide long-term durability. The
term microsurface refers to applying a thin layer of asphalt emulsion on top of a newly swept road
surface. (See the attached flyer for more information, and a map of the streets affected.)

Microsurfacing is an effective means of extending the life of asphalt streets, but it requires the passage of
a large machine on the roadway, which means overhanging tree limbs must be removed in advance of the
work. As a result, any tree branches within 11 vertical feet of the road surface in front of your
property must be trimmed before the microsurfacing begins. Also, any shrubs or vegetation that
are extending over the roadway must be trimmed back to expose the edge pavement.

A tree service company, hired by SDOT at no cost to you, will begin this work in early August. If you
have questions about tree pruning, permits required to perform major pruning or tree removal work for
trees extending into the right of way, or concerns about this tree pruning work, please contact City
Arborist Ben Roberts at 206-233-8735 or ben.roberts@seattle.gov.

Shortly prior to microsurfacing, crews will sweep debris and dirt from the road. To protect flower pots,
planters, sculptures, etc. in front of your home, please move them back at least 12 inches from the
edge of the pavement. Whenever possible, cars should be parked off the roadway to allow the street
sweepers to prepare the roadway and to ensure the microsurfacing seal will set properly and last as long
as possible.

No Parking signs will be placed by the street approximately three business days in advance of the work.
On the day of the microsurfacing, SDOT will enforce these temporary No Parking signs and close the
road for several hours while the emulsion is applied and dries. You can expect the road to be closed the
majority of the day. You will be asked to make arrangements in advance of the work to park your vehicle
on a nearby street that is not being microsurfaced on the same day. The roads will be reopened and may
be driven on as soon as two to four hours after the seal coat is applied, depending on the weather.

SDOT crews have spent more than 4,000 crew hours over the last several months preparing Arbor
Heights roadways for this treatment with minor repairs. This work, in conjunction with the
microsurfacing, will result in a smoother, renewed road surface and lessened chance of potholes in the
years to come.

You will receive specific information several weeks in advance of the microsurfacing work, once we have
established the schedule for which streets will be swept and microsurfaced on which days. In the
meantime, please contact me if you have specific questions or concerns about this work. You can also
visit our project Web page at www.seattle.gov/transportation/microsurface_ArborHeights.htm.

Sincerely,


Art Brochet
Communications Lead
art.brochet@seattle.gov
(206) 615-0786