SDDOT Launches Sixth Annual Snowplow Naming Contest; Emphasizes Winter Travel Safety Resources

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has officially opened the submission period for its sixth annual Snowplow Naming Contest, inviting residents, classrooms, and businesses across the state to submit creative names for the vehicles that keep state highways clear each winter. The contest runs now through Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.

The annual competition serves as a fun way to engage the public while promoting critical winter maintenance operations and travel awareness. The SDDOT typically receives around 700 submissions each year, a testament to the program's popularity.

Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt highlighted the importance of the department's work and the public's reliance on it. “Each winter, South Dakotans place their trust in the SDDOT to keep our state highways open. From families traveling statewide for recreational purposes to truck drivers transporting goods that fuel our economy, everyone depends on a reliable and safe public transportation system,” Jundt said.

Contest Details and Winter Safety Outreach

Individuals can submit multiple entries through the online form found via the Snowplow Naming Contest graphic on the SDDOT homepage, dot.sd.gov. After the deadline, SDDOT staff will vote on their favorite submissions, and one officially named snowplow will be announced for each of the 12 SDDOT geographic areas in January. To date, sixty plows have received names, and all named plows remain in active service.

Beyond the initial naming contest, the SDDOT continues winter engagement through the Blizzard Bracket competition during the spring months, which features all previously named plows. In a notable victory in 2025, South Dakota’s champion, “Thaw Patrol,” named by the first-grade class at Winner Elementary, was crowned the champion of the co-hosted Dakota Battle of the Blades over North Dakota's “Plower Ranger.” Governor Larry Rhoden later joined a celebration at Winner Elementary to honor the victory.

Jundt reiterated the safety focus of the initiative, stating, “The snowplow naming contest helps us build awareness about SDDOT's winter maintenance operations and the many resources available to the traveling public to make safe travel decisions.”

Resources for South Dakota Travelers

The SDDOT encourages all travelers to utilize its numerous resources to make informed travel decisions:

·  SDDOT Winter Weather Hub: A one-stop webpage for all winter-related road conditions, press releases, safety posters, and real-time photos/videos of snowplow operations is available at dot.sd.gov/winter-weather-hub.

·  SD511: For the latest road and weather conditions, travelers can visit sd511.org or dial 511. Customized notifications for road closures and advisories along specific routes are a free service available for sign-up. The SD511 app is also available for download.

·  Interstate Closure Texts: To receive direct updates for any winter-related Interstate closure, travelers can subscribe to a free text service by texting SDInterstates to 605-836-8836.

Counties and tribes can also directly enter No Travel Advisories and Road Closures into the SD511 system, enhancing communication for local and statewide travelers.