15-05-2025
ODOT hones skills at district 'roadeo'
May 15—LIMA — There were no bucking broncos, bull riders or calf roping, but Thursday's "roadeo" had Ohio District of Transportation workers putting other skills to the test.
Thursday's contest brought equipment operators from throughout the district to its maintenance garage in Lima to compete for bragging rights and the opportunity to compete in a statewide roadeo event, while at the same time sharpening the skills they use in their work keeping the roads clear in the winter months.
"Maneuverability is No. 1," ODOT District 1 Highway Management Administrator Rod Nuverman said, speaking of an obstacle course set up behind the garage for plow trucks. "But it's also backing up into a confined space, which we do all the time when we're plowing outdoors, let's say on the highway. We're trying to show off blade control and making sure that the blade is to the right just far enough to plow but not hit anything, like mailboxes. So each one of the events is tied to something that we do."
Another event involved a barrel push with loaders, which can simulate moving debris off of roadways, Nuverman said.
"That shows your ability to manipulate the debris to a spot that you wanted," he said.
While the public is accustomed to seeing ODOT trucks on the road in winter keeping roadways clear of snow and ice, the skills honed in these events are used in many ways.
"What you see here is a snow plow, but if you look at most of the trucks that we use after winter, we take those plows off, and those are now dump trucks," ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes said. "So we're using this equipment for other things."
With District 1 encompassing Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and Wyandot counties, this yearly event also provides an opportunity to promote friendly competition among coworkers who may not get to interact on a regular basis.
"They're not always together on projects, so this might be the only time they see each other," Nuverman said. "The other thing is that there are times when we're out doing chip seal in another county, and you're asked to go there. Now, instead of showing up and not knowing anybody, hopefully you now know somebody and can relate to them. Hopefully that helps with our teamwork and camaraderie when we're doing projects."
The roadeo also featured 23 plow blades painted by area schools, including Lima Senior and Perry, as part of the district's "Paint the Plow" contest.
Submissions can be viewed and voted on at the district's Facebook page,
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