Plow drivers compete in Snowfighter ‘Roadeo’ - Keloland 10/3/2024

Chris Voelker was warming up for the cold months behind the wheel of a plow truck on Thursday. Voelker is a lead highway maintenance worker for the South Dakota Department of Transportation. He competed in the DOT’s Snowfighter ‘Roadeo’ in Sioux Falls, which included a driving course. 

“Very challenging if you’ve never done it,” Voelker said.

While it wasn’t Voelker’s first ‘Roadeo,’ it was an opportunity to practice after the summer months.

“Getting used to the controls and trucks again,” Voelker said. 

“It does have some obstacles that can really show off those skills whether it’s backing or maybe some precision turning,” SDDOT Director of Operations Craig Smith said.

Highway maintenance workers weren’t just preparing for winter on the obstacle course.

They were also doing breakout sessions for equipment and safety training.

“It’s kind of that time of year. You start having these cool mornings. We know winter and snow’s not too far away,” Smith said.

While Voelker has been preparing for winter, he’s not necessarily rushing the arrival of snow.

“No, it can stay away until January and be fine,” Voelker said.

All four DOT regions in the state have wrapped up competition.

The top five scoring drivers from each region will compete in the state finals in Pierre next week.

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