The Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) Southwest Region held its areawide equipment ROADeo on May 5, 2026. This annual event gives ALDOT’s heavy equipment operators a chance to showcase their skills while promoting safe operating procedures.
Operators from the Southwest Region competed in a series of challenges designed to test their ability to maneuver a variety of equipment, including single axle and tandem axle trucks, backhoes, skid steers, motor graders, lowboy trailers and tractors.
Each event emphasized control, accuracy, and safe operation. These are the skills ALDOT operators rely on every day in the field.
Operator uses a motor grater to carefully knock the tennis ball off without touching the base
Operator navigates through course on a tractor pulling a mower
Even though the ROADeo is a competition, it also gives operators a chance to watch each other’s skills, exchange tips, and support one another.
ALDOT crew gathering to share a meal after a full day of competition
The ROADeo serves a bigger purpose. It highlights the role ALDOT’s operators play in keeping Alabama’s roads safe and efficient. Their commitment to doing their jobs well is what keeps Alabamians moving.
The Southwest Region has 13 operators advancing to the state ROADeo in Montgomery on May 13.
Those advancing to the state ROADeo are:
Single Axle Dump: Robert Cunningham (Shane Wilson, will compete in this event at state competition)
Tandem Axle Dump Truck: Caleb White
Backhoe: Gavin Thompson
Skid Steer: Thomas “Lincoln” Mund
Motor Grader: Robert Cunningham
Tractor w/ Mower: Billie Mitchell
Lowboy: Tyrone McCall
Single Axle Dump: Rushiel Pritchett
Tandem Axle Dump: Gail Pickens
Motorpatrol: Maple Hunt
Backhoe: Sammie Phillips
Tractor: Ronnie McGhee
Skid Steer: Coleman Wilkerson
Hat’s off to all of the areawide ROADeo winners and good luck at state!
