When Bloomington, Ill., Public Works Director Jim Karch watches his pennies for a whole year, he saves on average $250,000. But it’s not really his money; it belongs to Bloomington because Karch, PE, MPA, oversaw a successful merger of the … Continue reading →
In 2017, Lewis County in Washington faced a difficult task. A road along the Cowlitz River was experiencing extreme erosion thanks to the body of water’s wild and unpredictable nature. As the road began to wash away, multiple cabins in … Continue reading →
In becoming environmentally aware, cities are taking steps in every department to minimize the negative impact they can make on the planet. Moscow, Idaho, in particular, has uniquely supportive government when it comes to taking risks with new things that … Continue reading →
With China no longer importing plastic from the U.S. and environmental awareness spreading, states are experimenting with ideas to cut down on the garbage piling up. Last year the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned the rest of … Continue reading →
The existence of fats, oil and grease buildup in sewer lines can be disastrous for both individuals and the city when it comes to short- and long-term consequences. Consequences can range from a costly and pungent inconvenience to an expensive, … Continue reading →
Attractive cities would boast such enviable characteristics as sparkling, clear streets sans potholes; neatly trimmed trees; neighborhoods free of unsightly debris, overgrown weeds and rundown empty houses; regular trash pickups; contained pests; and traffic lights and signs in good repair. … Continue reading →
As the city of Santa Clarita, Calif., looks toward its future, the department of public works knows that transportation needs to be at the forefront. Last year, the city finished several different award-winning projects, all related to a different type … Continue reading →
According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as of April 2019, 388 communities across the U.S. and the District of Columbia use red light cameras for traffic enforcement, but that doesn’t mean the practice is spreading nationwide … Continue reading →
Kirksville, Mo., a rural city in Benton Township with a population of 17,536, serves as the county seat of Adair County. For years it had contracted out for the laying of asphalt, including for repairs. One day in 2016, Ray … Continue reading →
Hands-on learning, one-on-one interaction, classroom studies and camaraderie are a few of the keys to an impactful career experience, as demonstrated by the inaugural year of the Phoenix Public Works Department’s Solid Waste Equipment Operators Apprenticeship Program. In recent years, … Continue reading →
Life is about to get a lot easier for migrating salmon in Whatcom County, Wash., thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court’s tied ruling last June, which means that a 2013 lower court ruling that favors the Northwest tribes in a … Continue reading →
