How to Spot Signs of Illicit Discharges in Stormwater

June 19, 2025
Listed in Stormwater Management

Stormwater systems are designed to carry rainwater; not wastewater, chemicals, or other pollutants. When something other than rain or snowmelt ends up in the storm drains, it's called an illicit discharge, and it can cause serious harm to local waterways, ecosystems, and even public health. For highway departments, especially those operating under MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) requirements, being able to identify signs of illicit discharge is essential. Here’s what to loo…continue

Stormwater Infrastructure: What Highway Departments Should Be Inspecting

June 19, 2025
Listed in Stormwater Management

Stormwater infrastructure plays a crucial role in protecting roads, the environment, and nearby communities from flooding, erosion, and water pollution. For highway and public works departments, regular inspection of these systems isn’t just good practice, it’s essential for compliance with environmental regulations and for preventing costly failures. Here's a breakdown of the key components that should be on every department’s stormwater inspection radar. 1. Catch Basins a…continue

Top 5 Budget Pitfalls for Small Highway Departments

June 19, 2025
Listed in Administration

Managing a highway department on a limited municipal budget is a balancing act. Every dollar counts, and even small mistakes can ripple across your entire fiscal year. Whether you’re a seasoned superintendent or newly appointed, recognizing these common budget pitfalls can help your department stretch its resources and avoid financial headaches down the road. 1. Neglecting Preventive Maintenance It’s easy to delay maintenance when the budget is tight, but that short-term savings can …continue

Full Depth Recycling: A Smarter Approach to Road Rehabilitation

June 19, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

When a road surface starts showing its age, highway departments are faced with a key decision: apply a new overlay of asphalt or dig deeper, literally, with a more comprehensive solution like Full Depth Recycling (FDR) - also known as full depth reclamation. While a simple overlay can buy some time, it doesn’t address underlying structural problems. That’s where FDR proves its worth. What Is Full Depth Recycling? Full Depth Recycling is a pavement rehabilitation technique that recycl…continue

Know Where You Stand: Understanding Right-of-Way Before You Dig

June 16, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

Before your crew drops the blade, rolls out the compactor, or breaks ground on that drainage fix, it’s critical to ask one key question: Are we within the town’s legal right-of-way (ROW)? Too often, highway departments rely on outdated assumptions or tax maps to determine where their legal boundaries lie. But here’s the hard truth: you can’t build, dig, or disturb land that falls outside the town’s deeded ROW without securing the proper easements. And doing so can l…continue