2024-03-13 23:51:27
BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — Dave Hess loves to spend time on the road, but as a Tech 3 with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, he often has a much more important job than simply traveling it.
He and other members of the NDDOT work throughout the year to ensure that roads are safe and traversable for everyone.
“I’ve always wanted to drive a truck,” he recalled. “Since I was a third grader, I wanted to drive a truck. I wanted to drive semis when I was a kid, too. So, I figured, I’m already 50 years old and have an Air Force retirement. Why not do it?”
Usually, Hess stays pretty busy driving around his ‘pride and joy’, a truck named Darth Blader — but this year, NDDOT’s drivers haven’t spent much time in their plows due to a rather dry and warm winter.
However, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t working hard every day to help improve the quality of ND roads.
“Right now,” NDDOT Tech 2 Jacob Dockter explained, “we’re doing a lot of maintenance work on the highways, and a lot of metro. Crack pouring. Filling in cracks, filling in holes, and just making sure things are safe for the traveling public.”
“Between guardrail repair, light repair, inspections, guard rail inspections, bridge inspections, and sign inspections,” Hess added, “there’s lots for us to do.”
Usually, the NDDOT staff aren’t filling in cracks and road repairs this early in the season. The group typically begins fixing the roads at the end of April.
However, this winter has still been interesting for the drivers and their vehicles — particularly due to last December’s massive ice storm.
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“During that ice storm,” recalled Equipment Operator J.R. Red Tomahawk, “we used a lot of salt and a lot of brine. It was pretty much like an ice-skating rink out there for the trucks.”
Whether they’re working on filling cracks or plowing snow, workers often need both time and space to complete their tasks. As such, the group asks that all drivers give them ample patience and room when sharing the roadway.
“Please pay attention to our signs, your speed, and us guys working,” Hess stated. “Stop looking at your phone, and slow down through our zones,” Hess said.
“When you see us out doing whatever it is — maintenance work, snowplow, whatever — just slow down,” Dockter continued. “Be aware of what’s going on. Keep a nice distance away from the people who are working that equipment.”
“Pay attention to the signs and slow down,” echoed Red Tomahawk. “Give us room to work.”
KX News drove to the NDDOT office Wednesday to see what the operations have been like so far this winter — and in the process, rewarded them for their hard work with sandwiches from Jimmy John’s.
As we sat down with the crew, we learned that they have witnessed and experienced many terrifying situations on the job, including an incident where Hess was rear-ended by a driver while clearing off a road.
Luckily, Hess was uninjured, but NDDOT employees say that this is not an uncommon situation.
According to the NDDOT, from October of 2023 to the present day, there have been eight plows hit by another vehicle on the road.
Last winter, a total of 24 plows were struck- which is why they stress the importance of keeping your eyes on the road at all times.
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