NYS LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program

Road Chatter

From the New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program

March 2026

View from the Road

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. - Confucius

A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying. - B. F. Skinner

If you've been listening to our Bumper Banter Facebook Live announcements over the last year, you realize I have been doing the history of all the counties in New York State. This review of the history of New York State’s counties has reminded me that this is a beautiful state with lots to see and do.

We will be finished with our county review in March, but that doesn't mean I am finished seeing the whole state. There is always more to see and do.

Our spring workshop season is starting soon and as we go around the state, we need to remember to stop and look around. I still have that as a priority as I travel around helping you maintain our roads and streets. Looking forward to seeing you as I look for the views from the road.

- David Orr, PE

Stay up to date with the NYS LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program.

Click here to be added to our mailing list.

Webinars

Winter Foundational Webinars

Tuesdays - 9:00 am -10:00 am

March 3, 2026 - Snow & Ice Overview*
March 10, 2026 - Pavement Maintenance*

*Anticipated to be worth 1 Engineering PDH credit

Spring Workshops

Rights &

Responsibilities

3/11 - Delaware County (Delhi)

3/12 - *Rockland County (Chestnut Ridge)

4/15 - *Wyoming County (Warsaw)

4/16 - Onondaga County (Clay)

Local Roads Done Right

3/17 - *Ontario County (Canandaigua)

3/18 - Cortland County (Cortland)

5/12 - *Greene County (Windham)

5/13 - Essex County (Jay)

Running Your

Highway Department

3/24 - Orange County (New Hampton)

3/25 - Albany County (Voorheesville)

3/26 - Oneida County (Oriskany)

4/21 - Chemung County (Elmira)

4/22 - Monroe County (Rochester)

4/23 - Cattaraugus County (Ellicottville)

Pavement Maintenance

4/14 - Nassau County (Westbury)

4/15 - Ulster County (Kingston)

4/23 - *Warren County (Warrensburg)

5/5 - Niagara County (Lockport)

5/6 - Allegany County (Belmont)

5/14 - *Jefferson County (Watertown)

Roadway & Roadside Drainage

4/28 - *Dutchess County (Millbrook)

4/29 - Fulton County (Johnstown)

4/30 - St. Lawrence County (Gouverneur)

*Workshop Sponsorship

The New York State LTAP Center – Cornell Local Roads Program thanks those groups who contribute to making our workshops successful by providing sponsorships.

Workshop sponsors generously contribute a flat fee of $1,800/workshop, which enables participants from all municipalities to attend the workshop at either a reduced rate or free of charge. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for one or more of our workshops, please reach out to Amanda Caughey at ael234@cornell.edu / 607-255-5833. We look forward to working with you!

*Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!

Rockland County Highway Superintendent Association
Ontario County Towns and Village Highway Superintendent's Association
Dutchess County Highway Superintendents Association
Greene County Highway Superintendents Association
Jefferson County Highway Superintendents Association
Wyoming County Highway Superintendent Association
Town Highway Superintendents Association of Warren County

2026 Build A Better Mousetrap Competition is open for submissions!

Submission Deadline - 3.31.2026

All local transportation agencies in New York State are welcome to enter—multiple submissions are allowed!

We're looking for in-house innovations: anything your team designed, built, or implemented to improve safety, cut costs, boost efficiency, or enhance transportation quality.

Submissions don’t need to be physical tools—new tech uses, asset management ideas, or public engagement strategies all count.

Need inspiration?

Take a look at last year’s entries!

Online submission form

Develop a Pavement Management System through the Local Roads Program

Get your community’s roads on the right track this summer with the Pavement Management Intern Program—pairing municipalities with skilled college interns and expert support from NYSLTAP–Cornell Local Roads to build stronger, smarter roadway plans.

Find out more here.

Upcoming Events and Conferences

New York State Association of Transportation Engineers

84^t^h Annual Conference

Rochester, NY

June 2-5, 2026

NYS LTAP Center - CLRP Resources

The Nuggets & Nibbles Newsletter

Opt In for a Hard Copy

Do you know that you now have to opt in to get a hard copy of our quarterly newsletter,

Nuggets & Nibbles?

If you would like to receive a hard copy in the mail, please complete the online form.

Click the link below to check out the electronic version of latest Nuggets & Nibbles.

On the road and have a question?

Check out our new question submission section! Send us a picture or drop us a note! Let us know what we can do to help you.

We are one click away!

Quick and Easy Social Media Posts

If you are looking for seasonally relevant topics to post, check out our carefully curated posts related to spring!

Flagger Tutorial

Looking for something to help your crew freshen up for flagging? Check out the revamped NYSLTAP-CLRP flagging tutorial. Broken down into 4 lessons; the MUTCD, Work Zone Safety Responsibility, the Work Zone and Flagging, Equipment and Procedures.

Check out the tutorial.

Community Corner Infographics

These infographics were created to help highway and DPW crews communicate effectively with the community on items of concern.

Click here to view our Community Corner Series.

Instructors needed!

The New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program is looking for seasonal or part-time instructors.

Do you have a passion for public works

or highway management, and want to pass on your knowledge and experience to others? Contact us!

Visit our website for more information!

New York State LTAP Center -

Cornell Local Roads Program nysltap.clrp.cornell.edu