This week, May 18 to 24, is National Public Works Week (NPWW) and the City of San Diego is joining cities across the country in recognizing thousands of dedicated public works employees who plan, build, manage and operate the critical infrastructure, systems and services that improve the lives of all San Diegans. 

National Public Works Week started in 1960 as a public education campaign by the American Public Works Association to bring awareness to the importance of public works in community life. It takes place annually during the third week of May. 

This year’s theme, “People, Purpose, Presence,” highlights three cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve their communities every day. With or without fanfare, these teams continue to work in the background to improve all communities. 

In Fiscal Year 2025, City public works staff have celebrated several major accomplishments in improving our communities, including: 

• Remaining on pace to surpass 300 lane miles of slurry seal and 125 total miles of asphalt overlay road improvements.
• Reaching 70% construction completion on Pure Water Phase 1, which is part of the Pure Water Program – the largest integrated infrastructure project in the City’s history that will provide a sustainable local water supply.
• Completing approximately 12,000 facility maintenance work orders and renovation/repair projects at City facilities, like the recently reopened Memorial Senior Center.
• Rehabilitating 2.2 acres at South Chollas Creek and Paradise Canyon wetland mitigation site.
• Awarding 64 construction projects and completing 63 construction projects, like the iconic Balboa Park Botanical Building, as part of the Capital Improvements Program. 

The City of San Diego employs public works professionals across multiple departments, including Engineering and Capital Projects, General Services, Transportation, Stormwater, Public Utilities and many others.