As Seattle prepares to host events during the FIFA 2026 World Cup, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has announced a construction moratorium that will significantly impact contractors working within designated areas of the city. Contractors that have recently applied for permits within these limits received an email that begins with the following salutation followed by details on the moratorium:
Your project is located within the Seattle Department of Transportation’s FIFA 2026 World Cup Moratorium. A permit condition has been added to your permit record.
It is the permittee’s responsibility to complete all permitted work prior to the World Cup. The moratorium may prevent you from extending your application during that time.
The affected zones are mapped and available through the SDOT FIFA Moratorium Map found here: SDOT Construction Moratorium during FIFA World Cup. If you’re overseeing a construction project within Seattle’s right-of-way, now is the time to prepare for new restrictions that begin June 8, 2026, and last through July 13, 2026.
What Is the FIFA 2026 Construction Moratorium?
To ensure the safety, mobility, and enjoyment of the anticipated crowds during the FIFA World Cup, SDOT is enforcing a moratorium on construction activities in specific zones of the city. This includes:
- Prohibition of construction activity and staging (materials or equipment) in the affected right-of-way.
- Permit conditions that explicitly restrict extensions or modifications during the moratorium period.
These permit flags are more than a formality — they are enforceable limitations aimed at preserving access and public safety.
Key Dates to Remember
- Moratorium Period: June 8, 2026 – July 13, 2026
- Exception Process Launches: January 2, 2026
- Deadline for Unapproved Construction Work: All impacts must cease by June 8, 2026, and appropriate restoration must be completed.
Restoration Requirements
If you cannot complete your permitted work before June 8, you’ll need to ensure interim or final restoration of the impacted area:
- For non-arterials: Restoration per SDOT’s ROWORR standards.
- For arterials:
- Interim restoration requires 6 inches of compacted hot mix asphalt (HMA) over 6 inches of compacted crushed rock.
- The interim surface must be safe and functional until final restoration can be achieved post-moratorium.
Applying for an Exception
While the moratorium is strict, SDOT has indicated that exceptions may be granted in rare cases. An official application process will be available starting January 2, 2026. Contractors seeking an exception should prepare supporting documentation and justifications well in advance.
Action Items for Contractors Already Working in the Moratorium Zone
- Update your project timeline to ensure all work, including staging and restoration, is completed before June 8, 2026.
- Communicate with your project team (including subcontractors, suppliers, etc.) about the impact, and provide proper notices or requests for change orders under your contracts to owners about the potential impact.
- Plan interim restoration where necessary, especially if final restoration is not feasible before the moratorium begins.
- Track the SDOT exception process launch in January 2026, and prepare a case if you intend to request an exception.
Contractual Considerations for Projects that will be in the Moratorium Zone
For those contractors that are anticipating a project in the moratorium zone but have not yet submitted your bid or executed a contract or currently negotiating contracts for work in Seattle’s SDOT FIFA 2026 moratorium area, it is critical to build protective and responsive language into your agreements. The moratorium introduces real risks related to scheduling, access, and change management. Here are the key contract provisions contractors should carefully review and tailor:
1. Delay Provisions
Given that no work or staging will be allowed from June 8 to July 13, 2026, unless specifically exempted, contracts should clearly allocate responsibility for delays caused by this mandated downtime. Consider:
- Excusable delays tied directly to SDOT restrictions.
- Clear exclusion of liquidated damages or penalties during the moratorium period.
- Clauses that treat the moratorium as a force majeure event or governmental restriction.
2. Acceleration Clauses
To meet project deadlines ahead of the moratorium, it may become necessary to accelerate the work schedule. Contractors should include:
- Compensation provisions for accelerated work, including overtime, additional crews, and extended hours.
- A change directive mechanism to document SDOT-imposed acceleration needs.
- Language that limits the contractor’s responsibility for delays caused by the owner’s failure to approve acceleration requests.
3. Change Order Procedures
The likelihood of changes in work scope, sequencing, or access logistics is high. Contracts should:
- Define a clear, prompt process for initiating and approving change orders.
- Address pricing methodology (time-and-materials, unit rates, lump sum) for potential moratorium-related adjustments.
- Permit oral change directives in urgent cases, with a follow-up written order to memorialize terms.
4. Interim Restoration Obligations
If a project cannot be completed by the moratorium start date, interim restoration will be required. Contracts should:
- Clearly identify the restoration standards (as per SDOT’s ROWORR for non-arterials and specified HMA/crushed rock mix for arterials).
- Allocate cost responsibility for restoration and any subsequent re-mobilization.
- Include warranty provisions for interim work that must remain safe and functional through the moratorium.
5. Moratorium Exception Clause
If there’s a possibility of pursuing an exception through SDOT, include language that:
- Allocates responsibility for applying and pursuing an exception.
- Addresses costs or time impacts if the exception is denied or delayed.
- Identifies backup plans and pricing if exception approval is not granted.
6. Communication and Notice Requirements
Timely notice is critical. Your contract should establish:
- Required timelines for notice of delay, acceleration, or change claims.
- A designated process for documenting SDOT communications, permit changes, or regulatory updates.
Contractors who address these issues proactively in their contracts will be far better positioned to mitigate risk, preserve margins, and maintain strong relationships with owners and subcontractors during the 2026 World Cup preparations.