Road Chatter

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

November 2025


View from the Road


When you launch in a rocket, you're not really flying that rocket. You're just sort of hanging on. Michael P. Anderson


Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=launch&pg=2


As you read this month's Road Chatter, you will notice we are launching our spring 2026 workshops. In addition, we are starting our winter webinars later this month with sessions most Tuesdays when there is not a holiday or conflict with another meeting. We look forward to seeing you on our webinars this winter and workshops next spring.  


When is the best time to launch new activities? We were ready to go a few weeks back with the workshops but decided to wait until the Conference on Local Bridges was done for the official launch. Enough chaos with the Bridge Conference without adding in workshop and webinar registrations. Although, 300 of you have already registered for a winter webinar after the registration launch in October. 


This year's Bridge Conference had just under 400 people in attendance between the training sessions on Tuesday and the main conference on Wednesday and Thursday. We want to thank everybody for attending and look forward to seeing you again in Saratoga Springs in 2026 and 2027.


 - 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

Thank you for attending the 2025 Statewide Conference on Local Bridges!

Thank you to all the presenters, attendees, and staff for another great conference! You can view this year's presentations by visiting the

NYSDOT Structures website

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 or call 607-255-8033. We look forward to working with you!


Interested in sponsoring a workshop?

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
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