How Often Should Road Lines Be Painted? A Deep Dive into Pavement Marking Materials, Costs, and Service Life

July 2, 2026
Listed in Highway Safety

Anyone who has driven during a nighttime rainstorm has likely experienced the unsettling feeling of suddenly losing sight of the pavement markings that define the travel lane. The centerline disappears into the darkness, the edge line fades away, and drivers are left relying on muscle memory, roadside objects, or the headlights of the vehicle ahead to determine where the roadway actually is. For motorists, it is uncomfortable and stressful. For highway departments, it represents a safety issue t…continue

Understanding the Life Expectancy of Corrugated Metal Stormwater Drainage Pipe

June 18, 2026
Listed in Stormwater Management

Stormwater drainage systems are among the most important (and often most overlooked) assets owned by municipalities. Hidden beneath roads, driveways, and rights-of-way, culverts and drainage pipes quietly move stormwater away from infrastructure and help prevent flooding, washouts, and road failures. One of the most common materials used for stormwater conveyance is corrugated metal pipe (CMP). For decades, municipalities have relied on corrugated steel pipe because it is durable, relatively ine…continue

Why Highway Departments Sometimes Fix Things That Aren’t “Their Responsibility”

June 9, 2026
Listed in Other Assets

One of the most common questions asked of highway and public works departments is, “Who is responsible for this?” In many cases, the answer seems straightforward. The municipality maintains the public road, while homeowners and property owners are responsible for their own private property and infrastructure. In reality, things are often far more complicated. Highway departments regularly find themselves dealing with infrastructure, drainage problems, safety hazards, and property dam…continue

Who Owns the Culvert Under Your Driveway?

June 8, 2026
Listed in Stormwater Management

Homeowners often assume that because a driveway connects to a public road, the culvert underneath it must belong to the town, county, or state. In most cases, however, that assumption is incorrect. Typically, the property owner owns the driveway culvert and is responsible for its maintenance, repair, and replacement. But as with many things in public works, the real-world situation is not always black and white. Municipalities frequently become involved with driveway culverts even when they are …continue

Who Is Responsible for the Sidewalks in Your Town?

June 7, 2026
Listed in Other Assets

Ask ten residents who is responsible for maintaining sidewalks in their town and you may receive ten different answers. Some assume the municipality handles everything. Others believe the adjacent property owner is fully responsible. In reality, sidewalk responsibility is often far more complicated than most people realize. In many communities, sidewalk ownership, maintenance, snow removal, repair responsibilities, and legal liability are divided among multiple parties. These responsibilities ma…continue