Spend It Before You Lose It: Smart Ways Highway Departments Can Use Year-End Budget Funds

April 12, 2025
Listed in Administration

Each year, as your fiscal calendar’s winding down, and you’ve got a little bit of budget left over. While it might be tempting to sit on it or scramble to spend it last minute, there’s a smarter way to handle that year-end balance: use it to stock up on the essentials you know you’ll need next season. Because let’s be real—come spring, you’ll wish you had more cones, more signs, and way more drainage supplies. Here’s a casual guide to putting that …continue

What is an MS4 and Why Should We Care

April 11, 2025
Listed in Stormwater Management

If you’ve ever walked down the street after a good rain and noticed all that water disappearing into a grate on the side of the road, congrats—you’ve seen an MS4 in action. MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, and while it might not sound exciting, it plays a big role in keeping our towns and waterways clean. So What Is an MS4? An MS4 is basically a network of storm drains, pipes, ditches, and outfalls that collect rainwater runoff and move it away from streets…continue

Why Every Highway Department Needs an Asset Management System Like Roadwurx

April 3, 2025
Listed in Administration

Let’s be real for a second: running a highway department without some kind of organized system is like trying to fix a car without a toolbox. You can do it, but it’s going to be a whole lot harder than it needs to be—and you’re definitely going to lose track of where the 10mm socket went. Highway departments across the country manage a lot of stuff: roads, bridges, culverts, signs, ditches, guardrails, equipment, and a million little details in between. And for years, a l…continue

Understanding Drywells in Municipal Stormwater Management

February 23, 2025
Listed in Stormwater Management

Municipal stormwater management is a crucial aspect of urban planning, ensuring that rainwater and runoff are effectively controlled to prevent flooding, erosion, and water pollution. One of the methods employed in stormwater management is the use of drywells. These underground structures help manage stormwater by facilitating groundwater recharge and reducing surface runoff. What is a Drywell? A drywell is a subsurface drainage system designed to collect and disperse stormwater into the surroun…continue

Essential Assets a Highway Department Should Maintain Records On

February 22, 2025
Listed in Administration

Efficient highway management requires meticulous record-keeping on various assets that contribute to the safety, functionality, and longevity of road infrastructure. A well-maintained asset database allows highway departments to plan maintenance schedules, allocate budgets effectively, and ensure public safety. Below is a comprehensive guide to the key assets that a highway department should track and maintain records on. 1. Roadway Infrastructure The core of any highway system is the roads them…continue