MaineDOT Showcases Winter Storm Readiness Ahead of 2025–2026 Winter Season
850 Snowfighters, 430 plow trucks, 85,000 tons of salt ready to maintain 8,800 lane miles of roadway.
AUGUSTA – Nov. 19, 2025 — As the winter season nears, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is enhancing its preparedness through coordinated operations, well-maintained equipment, and trained personnel to ensure safe travel throughout Maine.
“Maine winters are a part of who we are, and our transportation system has to meet the needs of Mainers: by supporting our economy and accommodating emergency vehicles,” said Dale Doughty, Commissioner of MaineDOT. “Our crews take great pride in the essential work they do, and Maine people can count on them to respond quickly, reliably, and safely.”
Every storm calls for meticulous coordination, collaboration, and dedication. These efforts are carried out by nearly 850 Snowfighters (Transportation Workers trained to drive plow trucks) who brave holiday shifts and overnight duties to keep Maine communities safe.
MaineDOT maintains approximately 8,800 lane miles of roadway across the state. Its fleet of 430 plow trucks logged more than 2.3 million plowed miles last winter—the equivalent of circling the globe 92 times. To support these operations, MaineDOT has secured a substantial supply of rock salt, with a five-year annual average usage of 125,000 tons.
“We’ve made targeted investments in both equipment and technology to improve how we respond to winter storms,” said Kyle Hall, Director of Maintenance and Operations at MaineDOT. “Using real-time forecasting, advanced deicing materials, and new plow trucks with advanced materials delivery systems, our goal is to clear roads as efficiently and safely as possible.”
A key component of MaineDOT’s anti-icing strategy is the use of salt brine, which is a solution of water and dissolved sodium chloride. This proactive treatment is applied to roads and bridges before a storm hits, helping to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. On average, just under 1 million gallons of salt brine are used every year. In some cases, molasses is added to the brine mixture to enhance adhesion and reduce scatter. During active storms, salt brine is also sprayed onto rock salt to improve its effectiveness in breaking down ice buildup.
Even before a winter storm approaches, MaineDOT crews monitor forecasts, ready equipment, and prepare for activation. As the storm approaches, mechanics inspect every truck by checking cutting edges, loading salt and brine, and testing radios and hydraulics to ensure the fleet is ready. When snow begins to fall, Snowfighters work around the clock in challenging conditions to keep roads clear and safe. Once the storm passes, crews continue cleanup and treatment, preparing for the next system already on the horizon.
"A storm can hit at any hour, and when that call comes, day or night, we answer it,” said MaineDOT Snowfighter Dustee Larose. “We leave our families, no matter the time, to make sure every truck is ready and every road is safe. The work is tough, and the shifts are long, but keeping people moving is what drives us."
MaineDOT’s Snowfighters have stepped up time and again on holidays, sacrificing time with family to keep Maine’s roads safe. On Christmas over the past decade, 1,514 employees put in 11,818 hours. On Thanksgiving, 1,706 employees worked 14,319 hours. On New Year’s, 2,007 employees logged 14,319 hours to keep Maine moving.
MaineDOT’s winter readiness program reflects its commitment to safety, efficiency, and innovation. Winter readiness plays a vital role in sustaining Maine’s tourism economy by allowing visitors to travel safely and enjoy the entire state from Kittery to Fort Kent. With a seasoned team of snowfighters, a well-maintained fleet, and proven anti-icing techniques, the department stands ready to tackle whatever winter brings.
Additional Materials:
View MaineDOT’s Winter Storm Readiness Press Kit (links to videos and photos of MaineDOT snowfighting operations)