CALLICOON – The New York State Local Technical Assistance Program hosted by the Cornell Local Roads Program (NYSLTAP–CLRP) is proud to recognize the Town of Callicoon Highway Department as the second-place winner in the 2026 Build a Better Mousetrap Competition.

The department earned top honors for its innovative creation, The Tire Shoulder Spreader. The modification improved overall efficiency and reduced the need for manual labor during shoulder spreading operations. 

By adding the tire drag to the front of the sweeper, the crew was able to evenly distribute and smooth material at the same time it was being placed, eliminating the previous need for two workers to walk behind the truck raking and shoveling by hand. 

This freed up personnel to be reassigned to other projects, improving productivity across the crew. The solution also provided a low-cost alternative by using existing equipment and scrap materials, helping reduce expenses while still improving performance. In addition, the setup improved consistency in finished roadway shoulders and reduced worker exposure to traffic and roadside hazards, enhancing overall safety in the field. 

“The Build a Better Mousetrap Competition highlights innovation at the local level,” said David Orr, Director of the NYSLTAP Center – Cornell Local Roads Program. “The 2026 entries showcased an impressive range of creative solutions developed by highway and public works departments across New York State.”

The NYSLTAP–CLRP Build a Better Mousetrap Competition is an annual statewide contest that celebrates inventive, cost-effective solutions created by New York’s highway and public works professionals to solve every day operational challenges. 

Entries are evaluated based on cost savings, ease of implementation, transferability to other agencies, and the significance of the problem solved. State winners advance to a national competition.

The New York State Local Technical Assistance Program and Cornell Local Roads Program provide technical assistance and training to highway and public works agencies throughout New York State.