Road Obstruction Bond - Walla Walla County, WA in Washington

Brief Summary

Walla Walla County does not set one flat figure for this bond. The amount is 1 1/2 times the estimate for your work in the county road right of way, and it stays in force for two years after the work is done. Get the estimate right first and the bond follows from it, issued on the county's own Road Obstruction Bond form.

Walla Walla County Public Works requires a Road Obstruction Bond, or another financial guarantee, with a Right of Way Permit for utility installations, frontage improvements and other work upon, along, over, under or across a county road. The bond equals 1 1/2 times the estimate for the work, runs 24 months from execution, and names Walla Walla County as obligee. It must be written by a corporation authorized to do surety business in Washington.

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How to Apply for a Road Obstruction Bond:

• Prepare a cost estimate for the work in the county right of way.
• Multiply the estimate by 1.5 to get the bond amount.
• Ask Public Works whether the WWCC chapter 12.60 exemption applies to your work.
• Complete the county Right of Way Permit form.
• Have the surety execute the county's Road Obstruction Bond form with Walla Walla County as obligee.
• Obtain a $1,000,000 certificate of liability insurance.
• Submit the permit, bond, certificate and fee to Public Works at 990 Navion Lane, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

Detailed Information About the Washington Road Obstruction Bond:

How the bond amount is set

The county's Right of Way Permit form states that a financial guarantee in the amount of 1 1/2 times the estimate for the work is required, and that it must be kept in force for two years following completion. A $40,000 trenching job needs a $60,000 bond. The permit form also notes an exemption under Walla Walla County Code chapter 12.60, so check with Public Works whether your work falls under it before ordering the bond.

Who posts it

Utilities, franchise holders, contractors and property owners doing work upon, along, over, under or across any county road apply for a Right of Way Permit and post the bond as principal. Walla Walla County is the obligee.

What the bond guarantees

The county's Road Obstruction Bond form commits the principal to complete the installation as the permit requires, cover costs the county incurs other than routine inspections, indemnify the county for property damage from the work, and hold the county harmless from liabilities arising from it. It also includes a two year warranty on road repairs and construction after inspection, which is why the bond term is 24 months from the date of execution.

Terms applicants miss

Changes or additions to the permit do not release the principal or the surety. If fees owed reach the bond amount, the County Engineer can require the bond to be increased, and the permits become void if it is not. The surety may cancel only with 30 days written notice to the County Engineer, subject to the engineer's approval.

Permit fees and timing

The nonrefundable permit fee is $75 for up to one linear mile of work plus $75 for each additional mile, or $150 per mile for open cut work. A $1,000,000 certificate of liability insurance is required unless the County Engineer decides otherwise. Work must start within 30 days of the permit being granted, and the permit terminates if the work is not complete six months after issuance.

Premium

The surety sets the premium from the bond amount, the scope of the work, and the principal's credit and financial strength. Confirm the current bond form and filing steps with Walla Walla County Public Works before the bond is issued.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Washington Road Obstruction Bond:

• Bond amount equal to 1 1/2 times the estimate for the work.
• Surety authorized to conduct surety business in Washington.
• Walla Walla County named as obligee on the county Road Obstruction Bond form.
• Bond term of 24 months from execution, covering a two year warranty after completion.
• Nonrefundable permit fee of $75 per linear mile, or $150 per mile for open cut work.
• Work started within 30 days and completed within six months of permit issuance.

Washington Road Obstruction Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the Washington Road Obstruction Bond: