What Is Warm Mix Asphalt and Why Are Highway Departments Using It?

June 15, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

Most of us are familiar with hot mix asphalt (HMA), that classic blacktop you see being laid down on roads in summer heat, often steaming in the sun. But there’s another version gaining traction in the paving world: Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA). So, what is it? And why are more highway departments choosing it? What Is Warm Mix Asphalt? Warm Mix Asphalt is produced and applied at lower temperatures than traditional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). While HMA is typically mixed at around 280°F to 320°…continue

How to Estimate Hot Mix Asphalt for Road Paving

June 14, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

How to Estimate Hot Mix Asphalt for Road Paving For Highway Superintendents Shortcut to our hot mix calculator Accurately estimating how much hot mix asphalt (HMA) you’ll need to pave a section of road is key to staying on budget, reducing waste, and keeping your crew productive. Fortunately, the math is straightforward, and once you’ve got a system, it becomes second nature. Here’s how to do it step-by-step. 1. Measure the Area to Be Paved You’ll need to know: Length of …continue

Keep Tabs on Your Tabs: Why Superintendents Should Monitor Department Spending Weekly

June 14, 2025
Listed in Administration

If you're running a highway department, your job doesn’t stop at potholes, plow routes, and public complaints. It also includes a less glamorous, but absolutely critical, task: keeping a close eye on your budget. And not just at year-end or when you need to request more funding. We’re talking weekly check-ins on your department’s expenditure categories. Here’s why it matters, and how it can save your budget, your sanity, and maybe even your job. Why Weekly Budget Chec…continue

Don’t Dig Blind: Why Your Highway Crew Must Contact Dig Safe First

June 14, 2025
Listed in Daily Tasks

In highway maintenance and construction, digging is routine, but it should never be done without first contacting Dig Safe or your local "Call Before You Dig" service. Whether you’re replacing a culvert, installing a new signpost, or trenching for drainage improvements, underground utilities are a constant, invisible risk. Striking a buried gas line, water main, fiber optic cable, or electric conduit is not only expensive, it’s dangerous and potentially fatal. Here’s …continue

Why Every Highway Department Needs Written Policies

June 13, 2025
Listed in Administration

Running a highway department without written policies is like building a road without a blueprint. Eventually, you will hit potholes. A clear set of written policies provides structure, consistency, and legal protection for both the department and the municipality it serves. Yet, too many highway departments operate with “unwritten rules” or rely on practices that are passed down verbally. This may work for a time, but when leadership changes, disputes arise, or legal questions surfa…continue