How to obtain a Passaic County Highway Opening and Use Permit Bond

County of Passaic, NJ – Highway Opening and Use Permit Bond

The County of Passaic, NJ Highway Opening and Use Permit Bond is a surety bond required by the Passaic County Department of Transportation for any person or entity performing excavation, trenching, or surface disturbance on a county-owned roadway .

Purpose and Scope

• Guarantees compliance with all rules, regulations, and laws governing the opening, construction, use, and maintenance of public highways in Passaic County 

• Ensures that any work (e.g., repaving after utility installations, curb/gutter reconstruction, sidewalk repairs) will be completed according to county engineering standards 

• Covers payment of any county fees, taxes, assessments, or charges related to the work .

Who Needs It

• Contractors, utility providers, or other entities working on county roads, even for minor excavations such as sidewalk repairs or underground line access 

• Without this bond, work cannot proceed, and permit approvals will be delayed .

Bond Requirements

• Bond amount and term must meet Passaic County’s specifications.

• Often required before the county issues the highway opening permit 

Typical Bond Details

• Obligor: Contractor or applicant

• Obligee: County of Passaic, NJ

• Coverage: Compliance with county regulations and completion of required repairs

• Typical value: $50,000 (varies by project size and county requirements) 

Compliance Tips

• Timing: Secure the bond early in the process to avoid delays; do not allow it to lapse before project closeout 

• Confusion prevention: General liability insurance is not sufficient; bonding is mandatory for this type of work .

• Work scope: Applies to all surface disturbances on county roads, regardless of scale 

How to Obtain

• Apply through a licensed surety such as The Service Insurance Company. Apply here:   License, Permit, Road & Sidewalk Permits | License and Permit Bonds

• Provide required contractor/license information and match coverage to county expectations.

In summary: The Passaic County Highway Opening and Use Permit Bond is a mandatory surety bond for any work disturbing county roadways. It ensures proper compliance and completion of repairs, and is required before the county issues the permit. Contractors should secure it early and confirm it meets Passaic County’s exact specifications to avoid project delays.