Dakotas Snowplow Naming Contests in Full Swing - AASHTO Journal 11/03/2023

Snowplow naming contests are in full swing in both North and South Dakota this month. The North Dakota Department of Transportation said state residents can help name a snowplow via its 2023 ‘Name-A-Plow’ Contest through November 20. Meanwhile, the South Dakota Department of Transportation is accepting entries to its fourth annual snowplow naming contest through November 30.

“We hope people submit their best names and then download the ND Roads app so they can be up to date on winter weather in their area,” he added. “Making an effort to ‘know before you go’ will help keep our plow operators and other motorists safe this winter.” 

Joel Jundt, secretary of the South Dakota DOT, noted in a statement his agency will announce winning snowplow names for each of the 12 SDDOT geographic areas. He added that his agency took its snowplow naming contest to “another level” by adding a “Blizzard Bracket” held in March and April this year. The bracketing contest provided the agency with additional opportunities to promote winter safety messaging during the prolonged winter season.

“The 2022-2023 winter season was definitely one for the record-books,” Jundt said. “Our winter operations staff worked countless hours to remove snow in some of the toughest winter weather conditions experienced in recent years. The snowplow contest is a fun, yet purposeful, way to interact with the public to encourage usage of vital winter weather related resources like SD511.”

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