Most people don't give much thought to stormwater. Rain falls, flows into a catch basin, and disappears. It seems simple enough. Those of us who work in municipal government know the reality is far more complicated. Managing stormwater is one of the most important responsibilities facing highway…continue
There is an old saying among highway workers: "The pothole you filled yesterday is the pothole that returns tomorrow." While this saying was almost certainly not uttered by Buddha beneath the Bodhi tree, one suspects he would have understood it immediately. After all, few things illustrate…continue
Anyone who has worked around highway departments, contractors, or quarries quickly learns that construction aggregate terminology can be confusing. The same material may have three different names depending on the county, contractor, engineer, quarry, or generation of highway employees involved in t…continue
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…continue
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…continue
The scenario is this: a new development is constructed in your town with engineered plans, and all of the stormwater infrastructure was properly inspected and installed as per expectations. Everything appears satisfactory, the homes are built and and the new residents are moving in. Awhile later, af…continue
Overlaying an existing road with a fresh layer of asphalt is a common and cost-effective maintenance technique. However, there comes a point when adding yet another layer without milling (grinding) the surface first can lead to more harm than good. Milling is the process of removing a portion, or al…continue
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 …continue
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 w…continue
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 u…continue
Stormwater systems work quietly in the background, protecting roads, properties, and waterways from flooding and contamination. But keeping tabs on their condition can be a challenge, especially when assets are spread throughout your community and each one has its own unique maintenance needs. Roadw…continue
Proper stormwater management is critical for every community, yet keeping track of scattered drains, culverts, dry wells, and other installations can be a constant challenge. Roadwurx simplifies the entire process with a purpose-built Stormwater Drainage module designed to help your department captu…continue
Stormwater management is one of the most effective tools municipalities can use to protect their road infrastructure and stretch maintenance budgets. Too often, the relationship between drainage and pavement longevity is overlooked , but the presence of standing water on or near a roadway is one of …continue
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 …continue
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, r…continue
When a road intersects with a natural stream, brook, or drainage path, a properly sized culvert is essential for maintaining water flow and protecting both the roadway and surrounding environment. Undersized or poorly installed culverts can lead to flooding, erosion, road damage, or even failure. He…continue
Highway departments play a vital role in protecting roadways and nearby waterways by maintaining stormwater infrastructure. A key tool in this effort is the combination sewer cleaner truck, a powerful piece of equipment that both vacuums and jets debris from stormwater systems. One popular model use…continue
Concrete catch basins are a foundational element of municipal stormwater management, helping to control runoff, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. Found along roadways, in parking lots, and throughout developed areas, these structures play a critical role in directing stormwater away from s…continue
Stormwater infrastructure is one of the most overlooked yet essential components of a municipality’s public works inventory. Culverts, catch basins, dry wells, and swales might not make headlines, but they quietly prevent flooding, protect roads, and keep pollution out of local waterways. And …continue
If you’re in the world of stormwater management, you’ve probably heard of geotextile fabrics. These unsung heroes of infrastructure help stabilize soil, manage erosion, and keep things flowing...literally. But not all geotextiles are created equal. The two main types - woven and non-wove…continue
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 r…continue
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 manag…continue
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 pu…continue
Proper stormwater drainage is a crucial factor in maintaining the longevity and stability of paved roads. When water is not effectively managed, it can lead to a range of structural problems, increasing maintenance costs and reducing the lifespan of the pavement. In this article, we’ll explore…continue
Roadwurx is always growing and evolving. Here is the current complete feature set for our highway department software. Reach out to us if you have an questions or ideas on how we can improve. Roads You have the ability to store all of the following data for every road you add to your database: Road …continue
Effective roadway drainage is one of the most important and often underestimated elements of road design, construction, and long term maintenance. Water is the single greatest enemy of pavement structures. When drainage systems fail or are poorly designed, water accelerates pavement deterioration, w…continue
Hydrologic Cycle Rain and snow falling on the ground will run overland or soak into the ground. Eventually all the runoff will reach lakes, streams, or the ocean where the water will evaporate and start the cycle all over again Water Movement Around Roads When maintaining and building roads and stre…continue