Using Check Dams to Control Water Flow and Erosion in Roadside Ditches

June 6, 2025
Listed in Stormwater Management

For highway departments, managing water flow in roadside ditches is an essential part of maintaining road integrity and protecting the surrounding environment. One effective tool in the erosion control toolbox is the check dam - a small, temporary or permanent structure built across a ditch to slow water velocity, reduce erosion, and trap sediment. Depending on the situation, different types of check dams can be used. Here’s a rundown of the most common options: Rock Check Dams Description…continue

Mowing and Vegetation Control for Driver Visibility

June 6, 2025
Listed in Highway Safety

Keeping roadsides clear and safe goes beyond pavement maintenance. Mowing and vegetation control are essential tasks that help ensure driver visibility and overall roadway safety. Overgrown grass, brush, and tree limbs can obstruct sightlines, block traffic signs, and hide hazards from motorists. A well-planned vegetation management program improves safety, protects infrastructure, and helps your highway department stay in compliance with local and state standards. Why Visibility Matters Driver …continue

Which Signs Need to Be Assessed for Retroreflectivity and Which Do Not

June 6, 2025
Listed in Highway Safety

Highway departments are responsible for maintaining traffic signs so they remain visible and legible to motorists, day and night. A key part of this responsibility is ensuring that signs maintain adequate retroreflectivity, or the ability to reflect light from vehicle headlights back to drivers at night. But not every sign on the roadside is subject to retroreflectivity assessment requirements. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) provides clear guidance on which signs must be m…continue

Protecting Watershed Health: A Key Responsibility of Highway Departments

June 5, 2025
Listed in Stormwater Management

Highway departments do more than just plow snow and patch potholes - they are stewards of the environment, particularly when it comes to the health of local watersheds. Every culvert installed, ditch cleared, and storm drain maintained can have a significant impact on the water quality of streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands downstream. This makes watershed protection a fundamental responsibility of highway crews, especially in communities governed by MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) …continue

Essential Sign Data Every Highway Department Should Track

June 5, 2025
Listed in Asset Management

For highway departments striving to stay compliant, organized, and legally protected, keeping accurate and up-to-date records of traffic signs is critical. Signs are among the most visible and most litigated assets on the road. To ensure accountability, safety, and compliance with federal and state standards, highway departments must maintain a basic dataset for every sign in their network. While some asset management platforms offer advanced features, even a simple system should be able to reta…continue