Road Maintenance

What goes into the paving process

Paving roads is about more than fixing the worst-looking streets. Our decisions are based on a combination of pavement condition, traffic volume, safety, drainage, road age, and available funding. We also coordinate with utility companies to avoid paving roads that may soon need to be excavated.

By using an objective, data-driven approach, we can make the most of taxpayer dollars, extend the life of our road network, and ensure paving projects are prioritized fairly and responsibly for the entire community.

We all know the Syracuse adage that there are two seasons, Winter and construction. The type of paving we associate with most often is the complete rebuild of a road, and that was the way of things for a long time. Now there are several options to choose from depending on the roads current condition.

Water is by far enemy #1 for our roads. It can't be avoided so we have to mitigate the problem. We do this by using ditches, gravel, moisture barriers and sealing. When cracks form in asphalt, water will get in and bigger cracks form. Usage, trucks, ponding and frost heaving happen. Its inevitable.

As time goes by, we need to monitor our roads for damage and strategically choose which roads get which treatment that also fits our budget. Micro paving is a common treatment that can add 10 or more years to the life of a road with minimal expense. Market forces, like the price of oil, will impact the costs.

The chart on the right shows how we evaluate road conditions and treatments. A new road is expected to last 20 years before being treated. We can extend the life of a road with micro-paving for another 10 years and often these treatments last longer but a severe winter causes lots of damage to good roads hastening the repair time lines.

Roadway Maintenance

Some of the roadways within the Town limits fall under the jurisdiction of the Village of Camillus, Onondaga County or New York State, not the Town of Camillus' Highway Department.

Town Roadways

Road Sand & Stone Clean Up:
Sand and stone should be raked straight into the roads edge for pickup. Please do not create piles or cover the catch basins with stones, leaves or debris, as this may clog the inlet and cause flooding. Do not pile the stones – they are a hazard to pedestrians, and vehicles and cannot be effectively picked up by our sweeper.

Snow Removal:
Snow accumulation is monitored and evaluated throughout the day and night to ensure the most effective use of our resources having the best possible snow removal response. Plowing typically begins in the very early morning hours and continues throughout the day and evening as warranted.

Important Information According to Section 1219 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and Section 214 of the Highway Law of New York State, Snow removal operators (Plow Services and individuals) on private properties may not push , pile or blow snow out into or across any public roadway system. Those that do may be issued a court appearance ticket. Be considerate of others. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our roadways safe for the traveling public.

On Street Parking: To facilitate snow removal efforts, the Town of Camillus prohibits on-street parking on Town roadways from December 1st to April 1st between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Placement of Trash Cans:
Resident’s trashcans should be placed at the end of their driveway or on their lawn at the edge of the road, rather than in the road. This is especially true during the winter months, when trashcans placed in the roadway may be hit by snowplows or create other traffic hazards. Dependable trucks can reach trash cans up to 8 feet from the truck.

Mailbox Repair

Under New York State Highway Law Section 319, mailboxes are considered highway obstructions located within the public right-of-way. As such, municipalities are generally not responsible for repairing or replacing mailboxes damaged during snow removal operations.

Despite this, the Town of Camillus has long maintained a policy of replacing mailboxes on roads maintained by the Highway Department as a courtesy to our residents. While the Town is under no legal obligation to replace damaged mailboxes, we have chosen to do so for many years because we understand the inconvenience it creates for homeowners. When replacement is necessary, we install a standard mailbox and post that meet U.S. Postal Service requirements.

You will see these standard mailbox installations throughout the Town because mailboxes are frequently damaged by the weight and force of snow and ice discharged from the plow—not by direct contact with the plow itself. Direct strikes by a plow blade are uncommon.

If your mailbox was damaged in this manor AND you live on a road that is plowed by Camillus Highway, please call us to register a need for repair or replacement. 315-672-5556

The county number is 315-484-1550.