After receiving high scores in a two-day, state-level competition designed to improve the safety and proficiency of transportation crews that maintain Kentucky roads, 14 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) equipment operators—three of whom are from Northern Kentucky’s District 6—have advanced to represent Kentucky at the Southeastern Regional Equipment Operators Safety and Training Conference.
Heavy equipment operators from all 12 Department of Highways districts demonstrate their abilities and skills at the much-anticipated State Equipment Operators Safety and Training Conference, often known as Equipment Roadeo.
Governor Andy Beshear said, “We commend our state employees for their dedication to safety in our new home in Kentucky and congratulate everyone who put in the two days to refine their skills and share safety practices needed to protect workers and Kentuckians alike.”
By placing first or second in district-level events that include seven obstacle course workouts, participants earned a spot in the state Roadeo. Now, the top two finishers in each event will go to a regional competition in the Southeast, which will be hosted by KYTC from September 23 to 25 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington and feature winners from other states.
According to KYTC Secretary Jim Gray, “Our front-line crews are an essential component of our response throughout the state because they operate heavy equipment in all types of weather, as we have seen this past year.” While competing amicably with their fellow Kentuckians, this equipment roadeo displays not only their skill in the trade but also their commitment to safety and careful equipment management. This fall, we are excited to host the regional competition.
The Kentucky Horse Park hosted the training and competition event on June 24 and 25. Operators used heavy machinery such as graders, backhoes, single and tandem-axle dump trucks, tractors with mowers, skid steers, and tractor trucks with lowboy trailers in seven courses that tested their accuracy, agility, and speed.
With 291 points, a team from Flemingsburg’s District 9 won the Roadeo overall. With 262 points, the Somerset-based District 8 squad came in second. With 257 points, the Covington squad from District 6 came in third.
Finishers by course:
Lowboy Trailer on a Tractor Truck
John Waymire, Highway District, 92nd place, first place Matt Kirby, 103rd place in Highway District Josh Garmon, District 4 Highway
Axle-Tandem Dump Truck
Todd Myers, Highway District 92nd Place, First Place Bradley Barnett, 73rd place in the Highway District Scott Dalton, District 2 Highway
Axle-only Dump Truck
Josh Garmon, Highway District 42nd Place, First Place Alex McCulloch, 13th place in Highway District Justin Proffitt, District 8 Highway
A tractor with a mower
First position Barry Johnson, 82nd place in Highway District Adam Matherly, 83rd place in Highway District Barry Matney, District 4 Highway
The backhoe
Jeremiah Moyers, Highway District, 92nd place, first place Brandon Slaven, Highway District 8; Joe Sharp, Highway District 83rd Place
Grader for Motors
First positionHighway District 62nd Place: David Webster Highway District 123rd Place: Jacob PraterKyle Dezarn, District 6 Highway
The Skid Steer
Paul Gripshover, Highway District 42nd Place, First PlaceNicholas Eichmann, 63rd place in Highway District Road District 2’s Tory Rickard
Cabinet for Transportation in Kentucky