National Public Works Week

May 13, 2026 - ROCHESTER, MINN. – The City of Rochester is proud to celebrate its 140 public works professionals during National Public Works Week, observed May 17–23, 2026. These teammates focus on infrastructure, facilities and essential services that support the high quality of life and wellbeing of everyone who lives, works and visits Rochester. Their daily efforts rebuild, improve and protect Rochester’s multimodal transportation network, wastewater treatment and collection systems, stormwater and surface water management, and other critical structures and facilities that keep our community functioning smoothly.

“Public works is where community shows up in real, tangible ways. It’s in the roads we travel, the utilities we rely on, the systems that work so seamlessly most people never have to think about them. This team is grounded in service, and that shows up every day in the pride they take in their work and the impact it has across Rochester. They’re not just maintaining infrastructure, they’re helping build a connected, reliable, and thriving community. National Public Works Week is a chance to recognize the people behind that work and the essential role they play in keeping Rochester moving forward,” shares City Administrator Alison Zelms.

To honor Public Works Week, the City Hall dome will be lit orange on Wednesday, May 20.

The theme for the 2026 National Public Works Week, “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,” acknowledges that the roots of service run deep in public works. This enduring commitment has driven innovations that help communities grow into places where people can lead lives of purpose and possibility. Some work, such as building roads and bridges, is highly visible, while other public works contributions, like maintaining water and sewer systems, are often unseen. Together, these efforts form the foundation of thriving communities and remind us that every project, visible or hidden, strengthens the vital connection between service and the people it supports.