Photo: Tyler Malek, co-founder of Portland's Salt & Straw ice cream shop, poses with Arpita Kulkarni, who submitted the name Salt & Thaw in the snowplow naming contest. Photo by PBOT.

Last winter, PBOT ran the city’s first-ever snowplow naming contest. Portlanders spent winter break coming up with hundreds of creative names for the vehicles that help keep our city moving in stormy weather. Then, in January 2025, over 16,000 people used ranked-choice voting to select the top names for five of the city’s 56 snowplows. Helping unveil the new decals were the winners of the snowplow naming contest, along with Tyler Malek, co-founder of local favorite Salt & Straw who inspired one of the names.

The five vehicles will be easier to spot as they traverse Portland with specially designed decals bearing their name. During winter weather activation, they can also be tracked in real-time on our interactive Winter Weather Center.

Each of the named vehicles will cover a different route responding to winter weather:

Beverly Clear-y will stare down pesty snow along NE 33rd Avenue, next to Beverly Cleary K-8 School, and in the neighborhood made famous by the author’s renowned children's books.
The Big Snowplowski will abide its intended route through the Southwest Hills that includes the western portion of SW Capitol Highway.
The Brrrrnside salt spreader and snowplow will charge up West Burnside Street -- where the 1,000 feet of elevation above sea level can make you shiver -- as well as Swan Island.
Portlanders will be able to spot Plowy McPlowface on its downtown route, keeping streets clear and putting our best face forward for businesses, residents, and tourists alike.
Salt & Thaw, a combined salt spreader and snowplow, will do a sweet job covering the entire 82nd Avenue corridor.

PBOT trucks do double-duty for the city. In warm or wet weather, they haul rock or dirt to work zones, and in the fall, they carry big loads of leaves that PBOT crews sweep from city streets. When snow or ice is in the forecast, PBOT crews attach plows to the front of the trucks so they can be ready to clear snow or icy material from designated routes. During winter storms, the public can track PBOT snowplows and salt spreaders in real-time using the bureau’s Winter Weather Center. The interactive map lets you track vehicles along our snow and ice routes—the roads most critical for emergency responders, hospitals, schools, public transit, as well as downtown and other business districts.

Every October, PBOT maintenance crews practice driving snowplows on an obstacle course. This exercise—on a secure, closed course—allows new operators to train and lets veterans refresh their skills. Crews also participate in classroom-style training as well as prep and stage equipment so it’s ready in an emergency. Later this month, they will outfit all their vehicles, inspect their equipment, and drive their winter routes across Portland to take note of conditions before weather hits.

In the event of winter weather, PBOT works to keep vital public transit lines and emergency routes open. PBOT’s snowplow drivers work 12-hour shifts in tough conditions to keep streets navigable for first responders and TriMet bus and Portland Streetcar operators. These snow and ice routes are the most critical for our city’s police and fire stations, hospitals, schools, frequent bus routes, the downtown core, and major business districts—about a third of our entire street grid.

PBOT’s mission is to provide at least one passable lane in each direction on these routes so that vehicles with front-wheel drive or traction devices can get through. Depending on the severity of snow and ice, it can take up to three 12-hour shifts for our crews to sufficiently treat routes with anti-icer. In a major snowfall, it can take crews up to one 12-hour shift to plow the city’s routes.

Additional information about Portland’s winter weather response can be found in PBOT’s Winter Weather Basics and FAQ page.

Prepare now to get home safe this winter

Preparing for winter weather is everyone’s responsibility. PBOT’s “GET HOME SAFE” snow and ice travel tips page has information in 10 languages on how to prepare for winter and get around in inclement weather.

Create an emergency plan for winter with family and coworkers. Plan to work from home if you can or take public transit to keep roads clear for emergency responders. Identify an emergency meeting location.

Make a checklist for your home, business, and vehicle:

Ice melt and shovels. Property owners, tenants, and businesses should have ice melt and snow shovels ready to clear sidewalks and the paths across driveways.
Danger overhead. Be prepared to warn people about overhead dangers around your property such as falling snow or ice, trees, or powerlines.
Prevent landslides. If your home or business is in an area prone to landslides—especially the West Hills and higher elevations on the eastside —be prepared to keep ditches, culverts, and trash racks clear of debris that could impact runoff. Visit PBOT’s Landslides, flooding, and sandbags page for more information.
Chains. Carry snow chains or other traction devices for your vehicles, at a minimum, in addition to other items in an emergency weather kit.

Source: PBOT

Portland Local News