The Road Construction Plans Application is required for the review and approval of roadway construction plans when a development project requires the construction of new County roads or improvements to existing County roads within unincorporated Benton County.
While this application is most associated with new subdivisions, it may also be required for commercial, industrial, institutional, mixed-use, agricultural, or other development projects when County road improvements are required as a condition of development approval.
The application ensures that proposed public roads and roadway improvements are designed and constructed in accordance with Benton County standards, applicable codes, and accepted engineering practices before construction begins.
Road construction plans are reviewed by Benton County Public Works to verify that proposed roadways, drainage facilities, utilities, intersections, and related infrastructure will provide safe, reliable transportation while minimizing long-term maintenance costs for Benton County.
When is this application required?
A Road Construction Plans Application is generally required whenever a development project includes the construction of new public roads or improvements to existing County roads that will become part of, or affect, the Benton County Road System.
Examples include:
- New subdivisions proposing public roads intended for Benton County ownership and maintenance.
- Commercial or industrial developments requiring new public roads.
- Mixed-use, institutional, or agricultural developments requiring County roadway improvements.
- Existing County roads reconstructed or improved as part of a development project.
- Roadway improvements required as a condition of land use approval.
- Public roadway infrastructure that will be dedicated to Benton County upon completion.
Public Works staff can assist applicants in determining whether a Road Construction Plans Application is required for a specific project.
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted electronically through Benton County's Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal.
A complete application shall include the following:
Construction Plans
Construction plans shall be prepared, signed, and stamped by a Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer and shall include, as applicable:
- Road plan and profile sheets.
- Typical roadway sections.
- Grading plans.
- Roadside ditches.
- Culverts.
- Drainage facilities.
- Stormwater facilities.
- Utility crossings.
- Roadway signing.
- Pavement markings (if applicable).
- Intersection details.
- Construction notes.
- Applicable Benton County Standard Details.
- Any additional information necessary to demonstrate compliance with Benton County standards.
Construction plans shall clearly identify all proposed public improvements and demonstrate compliance with Benton County design standards, applicable codes, approved development conditions, and accepted engineering practices.
Construction Cost Estimate
Applicants shall provide one of the following:
- Three construction cost estimates prepared by licensed contractors; or
- One comprehensive construction cost estimate prepared, signed, and stamped by the Engineer of Record.
The estimate shall include all proposed public roadway improvements, drainage facilities, utilities within the roadway corridor, traffic control devices, and any associated public infrastructure required for the project.
Supporting Documents
Depending on the project, additional documentation may be required, including:
- Approved Preliminary Plat (if applicable).
- Drainage or Stormwater Report.
- Geotechnical Report (if required).
- Traffic Impact Analysis (if required).
- Sight Distance Documentation.
- Easement Exhibits.
- Utility Plans.
- Other supporting engineering reports or documentation requested during review.
Review Fee
A review and inspection fee equal to three percent (3%) of the approved construction cost estimate is required.
After the application has been reviewed for completeness, Benton County Public Works will calculate the review fee and provide an invoice to the applicant.
The review fee covers:
- Engineering review.
- Construction plan review.
- Construction inspections.
- Final roadway acceptance inspections.
Application Completeness
Benton County Public Works reviews applications in the order they are received.
To avoid delays, applicants are encouraged to ensure that all required documents and information are included at the time of submittal.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted for review.
Applications that are missing required plans, construction cost estimates, engineering reports, supporting documentation, or other required information will be considered incomplete. The review process will not begin until all required information has been submitted.
Applicants are responsible for providing complete and accurate information. During the review process, Benton County Public Works may request revised plans, supplemental engineering reports, or additional documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with County standards, applicable regulations, and approved development conditions.
Review Process
Benton County Public Works will begin its technical review only after a complete application has been received.
Applications determined to be incomplete will be returned to the applicant for correction and resubmittal.
Once a complete application has been submitted, the review process generally consists of the following steps:
- Public Works reviews the construction plans for compliance with Benton County standards, approved development conditions, and applicable regulations.
- Review comments are provided to the applicant if revisions are required.
- Revised plans are resubmitted until all review comments have been satisfactorily addressed.
- Once approved by the County Engineer, the construction plans are presented to the Benton County Board of County Commissioners for approval.
- Following Board approval, a pre-construction meeting is scheduled with Public Works before construction begins.
Construction Inspections
Benton County inspectors perform inspections throughout construction to verify that work is completed in accordance with the approved construction plans and Benton County standards.
Typical inspections include:
- Subgrade Inspection.
- Crushed Surfacing Top Course (CSTC) Inspection.
- Asphalt (HMA) Inspection.
- Final Walkthrough / Punch List Inspection.
Additional inspections may be required depending on project conditions.
Construction may not proceed beyond required inspection points until approval has been received from Benton County Public Works.
Final Acceptance
Upon completion of construction:
- Benton County will perform a Final Walkthrough / Punch List Inspection.
- Any deficiencies will be documented and provided to the applicant or developer for correction.
- All required punch list items shall be completed.
- The Engineer of Record shall provide certification that the roadway improvements were constructed in substantial conformance with the approved construction plans.
- Record drawings (Mylar or other County-approved record documents) shall be submitted to Benton County Public Works.
- After all requirements have been satisfied, the County Engineer may recommend acceptance of the roadway into the Benton County Road System.
Before You Apply
Before submitting your Road Construction Plans Application through the Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal, verify that you have:
☐ Completed the Road Construction Plans Application.
☐ Uploaded engineer-signed and stamped construction plans.
☐ Included all required roadway, drainage, utility, and supporting plan sheets.
☐ Uploaded the required construction cost estimate(s).
☐ Included all supporting engineering reports and documentation, if applicable.
☐ Verified that all uploaded documents are complete and legible.
☐ Confirmed that all application information is accurate and complete.
Applications that are incomplete or missing required documentation will not be accepted for review.
Questions?
If you have questions regarding the Road Construction Plans Application, would like assistance determining whether your project requires this application, or need guidance on application requirements, construction plan preparation, inspection scheduling, or the overall review process, please contact Benton County Public Works before submitting your application.
Email: pwpermits@co.benton.wa.us
Phone: (509) 786-5611
Public Works staff are available to assist applicants throughout the development review process and can help determine the appropriate permitting pathway for your proposed project.