Two Toledoans and a Perrysburg resident are among eight Ohioans to win the Ohio Turnpike’s Name-A-Snowplow contest.
Rebekah Chatterjee submitted “Snowbi-Wan Kenobi,” good for fifth place and fellow Toledo resident Mark Hayden’s winning entry “Plowy McPlowface” garnered third.
Snowplows featuring those names are located respectively at the Elmore maintenance building, milemark 79.9 in Elmore, Ottawa County, and Castalia’s facility, milemark 106.7 in Bellevue, Erie County.
Marc Manuszak of Perrysburg earned sixth place, with “O-H Snow U Didn’t,” and the snowplow bearing that name is located at the Hiram maintenance building, milemark 198.6 in Garrettsville, Portage County.
This was the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission’s first ever Name-A-Snowplow contest, and it was sponsored by the Northern Ohio Buick GMC Dealers.
The commission received nearly 1,000 entries during the submission period from October 19 to November 20.
From those entries, officials selected the top 50 names that were put to a public vote on the turnpike’s website. Nearly 4,000 votes were cast between November 21 and December 1.
To encourage voting, the turnpike commission promoted the contest through the Journal, social/digital media outreach and its customer connection monthly newsletter, which has a circulation of nearly 500,000 email subscribers.
Winners were announced in December, and each received a $100 gift card.
The Name-A-Snowplow contest reminds residents “Don’t Crowd the Plow,” and always drive safely on the turnpike during the winter snow and ice season.
When the turnpike’s crew and fleet are in action, motorists should take every precaution to avoid passing snowplows and allow extra space for the plow drivers to clear the road. The safest place to be on the road is behind a snowplow.
“For our experienced and dedicated crews, the Name-A-Snowplow contest is an opportunity to recognize them for their hard work around the clock ensuring that turnpike customers have a safe driving experience,” said Charles Cyrill, public information officer.
“The use of multiple techniques and advanced equipment for snow and ice removal, along with other standard practices, make the turnpike one of the safest roadways to travel during winter,” he added.
Snowplow crews are available at any given moment to maintain the 1,395 lane miles, 31 interchanges and 14 service plazas along the turnpike, which stretches across 13 counties in northern Ohio.
When there is snow and ice, crews will work 12-hour shifts to clear the roadways. There are 15 salt storage facilities along the turnpike. Crews use an average of 65,000 tons of salt each year and 293,000 gallons of liquid chemicals per year.
Motorists who encounter a vehicle break down or are involved in a crash are reminded to turn on hazard lights, move the vehicle as far off the roadway as possible. Remain in the vehicle, and call #677.
Mr. Cyrill said the commission plans to run the contest again this fall. The campaign will be launched in October to coincide with the turnpike’s 136-point inspection of all snowplows and equipment at its eight maintenance buildings.
Top eight entries
1. Snow Force One
2. Darth Blader
3. Plowy McPlowface
4. Snow More Mr. Ice Guy
5. Snowbi-Wan Kenobi
6. O-H Snow U Didn’t
7. Sir Plows-A-Lot
8. Ah, Push It...Push It Real Good!
