Road Chatter

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

December 2025


View from the Road


At the end of the day, if I can say I had fun, it was a good day. - Simone Biles


Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?x=0&y=0&q=end+of+year


I like to tell people I've had a great day if: I learned something, I taught something, and I had fun. And while you might have a slightly different list of what makes a great day, we all know that hard work is likely to be involved. 


Here at the NYS LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program, we are always trying to improve how we do what we do. While we will continue to do what we do well, we never want to fall into the trap that we say we do things because “we have always done them that way.” 


We are gearing up for 2026. That means workshops, webinars, Highway School, Bridge Conference, invited sessions, technical assistance visits, Community Corners, ... things we have done before. But we are also looking to see how we can improve our mission of Improving the Quality and Safety of NYS Highways. 


We do not do that alone. We do that by working with you to get you the knowledge you need at the right time, helping you learn from each other, and building the local highway community. We are thankful for all of the support in 2025 and look forward to the new year. 


 - 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



*Anticipated to be worth 1 Engineering PDH credit

Spring Workshops

Register online

Rights &

Responsibilities

3/11/26 - Delaware County (Delhi)

3/12/26 - Rockland County (Chestnut Ridge)

4/15/26 - Wyoming County (Warsaw)

4/16/26 - Onondaga County (TBD)

Local Roads Done Right

3/17/26 - Ontario County (Canandaigua)

3/18/26 - Cortland County (Cortland)

5/12/26 - Greene County (Windham)

5/13/26 - Essex County (Jay)

Running Your

Highway Department

3/24/26 - Orange County (New Hampton)

3/25/26 - Albany County (Voorheesville)

3/26/26 - Oneida County (Oriskany)

4/21/26 - Chemung County (Elmira)

4/22/26 - Monroe County (Rochester)

4/23/26 - Cattaraugus County (Ellicottville)

Pavement Maintenance

4/14/26 - Nassau County (Westbury)

4/15/26 - Ulster County (Kingston)

4/23/26 - Warren County (Warrensburg)

5/5/26 - Niagara County (Lockport)

5/6/26 - Allegany County (Belmont)

5/14/26 - Jefferson County (Watertown)

Roadway &

Roadside Drainage

4/28/26 - Dutchess County (Millbrook)

4/29/26 - Fulton County (Johnstown)

4/30/26 - St. Lawrence County (Gouverneur)


Well Rounded Roads


2026 Locations...

Schoharie County (Cobleskill)

Oswego County (Williamstown)

Yates County (Penn Yan)

Dates: TBA


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 us at clrp@cornell.edu / 607-255-8465.


We look forward to working with you!


2026 Build A Better Mousetrap Competition is open for submissions!


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

Upcoming Events and Conferences

2026 Training School and Annual Meeting


This year’s conference will take place in New York City at the Marriott Marquis from Saturday, February 14th – Tuesday, February 17th, 2026.


Join fellow municipal leaders from across New York State at this year’s annual conference, where we honor the 250th anniversary of America's founding—a moment to reflect on our shared history while preparing for the challenges ahead.


NYS LTAP Center - CLRP Resources

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.

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
Facebook  Twitter