PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Transportation snowplow drivers have logged well over a million miles to clear state highways amid this winter season’s record-setting storms. 

The 1.2 million miles covered by ADOT’s fleet of some 200 snowplows is nearly twice as many as they drove during the 2021-22 winter season. ADOT’s trained snowplow operators have logged more than 66,000 hours – more than double the previous season’s total – working through the challenge of removing snow and ice as safely and as quickly as possible from highways impacted by winter storms.

“Our snowplow operators are heroes of the highways every winter, but it’s especially true over the past several months,” said ADOT Director Jennifer Toth. “I hope drivers truly appreciate the long hours they put in, along with first responders from other agencies, when record-setting winter storms strike.”

When storms are forecast in the high country, ADOT has the ability to send snowplow operators from other parts of the state, including metro Phoenix and Tucson, to areas where manpower and experience are needed.

“Many people, especially those who don’t travel into the higher elevations, don’t realize all the work that goes into battling back from the punch Mother Nature delivers during winter storms,” said Kevin Duby, ADOT’s statewide road weather manager. “It’s remarkable to see how our snowplow operators, often working 12-hour shifts, keep at it until the job is done.”

Duby also pointed to another group of unsung heroes at ADOT: the mechanics who work year-round to keep snowplows and other ADOT work vehicles on the road. As the state’s weather warms up, plow blades and other equipment will be removed from many snowplows so they can be used asdump trucks during summer and fall.

Drivers can check on highway conditions all year via ADOT’s 511 Travel Information site or by calling 511. ADOT also provides highway information and answers via Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and the agency’s Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT).