Municipal Liability Insurance and the Necessity of Asset Management

May 24, 2025
Listed in Asset Management

When it comes to municipal liability, a missing stop sign or a damaged guardrail isn't just an inconvenience, it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. That’s why your municipality’s liability insurance carrier is increasingly urging highway departments to adopt asset management platforms. These systems aren’t just digital filing cabinets - they’re powerful tools that help protect the public and your town from costly legal exposure. One of the biggest concerns for insur…continue

The Essentials of Asset Management for Highway Departments

May 23, 2025
Listed in Asset Management

When you think of asset management for a highway department, you might picture complicated spreadsheets, satellite maps, or tech-heavy systems. But at its core, asset management is really just about knowing what you have, understanding what condition it’s in, and planning what to do about it. That’s it. Strip away the bells and whistles, and it’s a simple, but vital, approach to keeping a town’s roads, culverts, signs, and other infrastructure in good working order. So, w…continue

The Pros and Cons of Chip Sealing

May 14, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

Chip sealing, also known as tar and chip or seal coating, is a widely used method for maintaining and preserving road surfaces. It involves applying a layer of liquid asphalt to the existing pavement, followed by a layer of crushed stone that is rolled into place. While chip sealing can be a cost-effective solution for certain types of roads, it’s not without its drawbacks. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons to help municipalities and highway departments make informed decisions. P…continue

Understanding the Pavement Condition Index (PCI): A Guide for Highway Superintendents

April 27, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

As a highway superintendent, one of your most important responsibilities is maintaining the quality and safety of your community’s road network. But how do you objectively measure the condition of your roads, prioritize repairs, and defend your budget requests with solid data? That’s where the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) comes in. The PCI is a standardized, numerical rating system used to evaluate the condition of paved roads. By learning how to properly assess and record PCI, sup…continue

Staying Current: Why Highway Department Supervisors Must Embrace Lifelong Learning

April 27, 2025
Listed in Administration

Highway departments play a critical role in the safety, efficiency, and upkeep of our communities. But in too many cases, particularly in small towns, the methods used to maintain roads, drainage systems, signage, and other infrastructure have gone unchanged for decades. The phrase “we’ve always done it this way” still echoes through garages and town barns, often without anyone asking whether the old way is still the right way. This mindset can hold departments back. In an indu…continue