A winner has been declared in the 2023-24 Alaska Department of Transportation “Name A Snowplow” Contest.
In a galaxy not so far away, ‘Darth Blader’ is leading our snow-clearing forces in Anchorage, armed with the strength of resilience and the determination to keep Alaska moving in the face of winter’s icy empire.
The name entry of “Darth Blader” was chosen after over 900 creative name suggestions from the community were entered, showcasing Alaskan’s winter spirit and appreciation for the DOT’s winter plow operators.
Those attending the Alaska Snow Summit in-person and viewing on the Facebook Live event voted to narrow down the entries to the top choices where plow operators then choose the winner. Darth Blader will proudly serve the Glenn Hwy from Muldoon to Hiland Road and the Seward Highway from 5th Ave to Potter’s Marsh.
The Name a Snowplow Contest is a fun and lighthearted way for Alaskans to engage with road maintenance crews, while also recognizing the critical role plow operators play in keeping Alaska highways open and safe for everyone. “Alaska’s winters require resilient efforts to keep our roads clear, and our maintenance and operations crews work tirelessly to ensure this,” said Central Region Maintenance & Operations Chief Kirk Warren.
The DOT would like thank everyone for their enthusiasm and support, and we look forward to ‘Darth Blader’ leading us into another winter season. For further information about the “Name a Snowplow Contest” please visit dot.alaska.gov/nameasnowplow and for snowplow safety visit dot.alaska.gov/snowplowsafety