The Engineering and Construction Division (ECD) of Public Works is charged with the essential task of improving the infrastructure of Dallas County with thoroughfare construction projects. The mobility of the traveling public is enhanced by improvements which are proposed, designed and constructed by this division. Working in partnership with the Transportation and Planning Division and participating cities, ECD develops projects, usually on a program by program basis, to increase the capacity and safety of Dallas County roadways. In the past these programs were funded by bond sales, but Public Works has moved this year to a "Funding Commitment" system, the Major Capital Improvement Program (MCIP) for project development and management which is designed to greatly streamline the project production process. Precipitating our implementing a "Funding Commitment" system for project development was the development of a Five-Phase Project Delivery System.

The Engineering and Construction Division is headed by , P.E.  Under this area, the division is responsible for the following functions:

• Project Management and Administration
• Civil Engineering and Design, Survey and Review
• Construction Management and Inspection
• Project and Administrative assistance for the Road and Bridge Districts
• Floodplain Management and Development Activities and Services
  

Civil Engineering and Design
ECD maintains a staff of professional engineers and civil engineering designers who either design "in-house" or manage project design by consulting on a wide range of projects. Related to this effort is the performance of such highly skilled services as survey engineering and computer aided design using MicroStation and Geo-Pak.

Construction Management and Inspection
ECD maintains a staff of highly qualified and experienced construction inspectors. The construction personnel ensure that Dallas County receives the specified quality in each phase of each roadway project. Construction personnel also review plans from other entities to ensure quality in projects in which Dallas County participates financially only. The engineering and construction personnel also lend their talents to other County departments such as Planning and Development, Parks and Open Space, and Facilities Management as needed for special projects.

Road and Bridge Districts
Dallas County Road and Bridge Policy gives Public Works an oversight role in the engineering required for District Forces' work. ECD collaborates closely with each Road and Bridge Superintendent for maintenance and repair projects.

Floodplain Management and Development
ECD is also charged with performing floodplain management and certain permitting processes. With the constant changing of environmental requirements, ECD has a professional engineer dedicated to the management of floodplain regulations. The permits encompass but are not limited to utility permits, overweight and oversize vehicle permits on County roads.

Storm Water Management Program
Storm water pollution prevention is a critical regional issue that Dallas County is proactively addressing by partnering with various agencies to develop a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) for Unincorporated Areas in Dallas County. The intent of this plan is to preserve or improve the health and quality of life in the Unincorporated Areas by preventing or mitigating storm water pollution. This SWMP was drafted to comply with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) TPDES (Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System) General Permit TXR040000 (MS4 Permit). This permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) was issued by TCEQ on August 13, 2007 and authorizes the discharge of storm water to surface waters in the State of Texas from small MS4s (population < 100,000). The draft SWMP was approved by the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court on January 29, 2008 and will be submitted to the TCEQ for review before February 11, 2008. This five-year program will be renewed with TCEQ in August 2012. A link to the draft SWMP document is provided below.

Dallas County Storm Water Management Program

Please check this website often as information will be updated regularly. If you have any questions about Dallas County's MS4 Storm Water Permit, please contact Abel V. Saldaña, P.E., C.F.M. at 214-653-7151 or at . If your question can not be answered, you will be forwarded to the appropriate local, state or federal agency.

To report any illicit discharges please contact either the Dallas County Environmental Health Department at 214.819.2000 or the North Central Texas Stop Illegal Dumping hotline 1-888-335-DUMP.

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