Uh-Oh, Wyoming Has Shortage of Snowplow Drivers

The snowstorm that hit Wyoming two weeks ago placed in sharp relief the shortage of qualified snowplow drivers needed to keep the state’s highways clear during weather events.

Luke Reiner, director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation, told Cowboy State Daily that there are many WYDOT stations around the state that are not staffed as well as the department would like.

“We’re probably about 15% down in our permanent staffing in terms of snowplow drivers,” he said. “And then additionally, we always hire about 40 temporary technicians every year, and have really had a lot of difficulty hiring those.”

In an effort to keep roads open during winter weather events, Reiner said the department has a few strategies. One is the department’s “Snow Plan,” a system of prioritizing roads for clearing which he said worked well last year.

Read more: https://cowboystatedaily.com/2021/10/18/uh-oh-wyoming-has-shortage-of-snowplow-drivers/