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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT
Derek Wing, Communications Manager
dwing@redmond.gov, 425-556-5844
Watch the reveal video on YouTube
Redmond Names Snowplows
REDMOND, WA - Redmond officially announced the new names of its five snowplows in a fun video. The City asked for name ideas from the community and they delivered. The winning names are:
- Ctrl + Salt + Delete
- Scoop Dogg
- Snow-begone Kenobi
- The Big Leplowski
- Betty Whiteout
“The Redmond community highlighted its creativity, spirit, and sense of fun in naming these snowplows,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “Not only do these plows play an important role in keeping our city safe during winter storms, but the playful names chosen by our residents also show the resilience and innovation that define Redmond.”
Over the two-week nominating period, 583 participants nominated 482 unique names. City staff then selected 14 names for the next round where residents selected up to five of their favorite names. In less than a week, 447 residents weighed in on their favorites, and the final plow names were selected. CTRL + SALT + DELETE was the runaway favorite and a fitting name to represent one of the world’s greatest tech hubs.
If the community sees the plows out and about during a snow or ice event, they’ll be able to recognize them by their unique names printed on their doors and are encouraged to wave and say hello.
This winter, the City will introduce a for the community to keep track of their favorite plows. This GIS-powered map will help community member’s follow along as the plows clear priority routes.
While the snowplows have fun names, their job is serious. During snow or ice events, these plows mitigate dangerous driving conditions and keep Redmond’s roads open.
Redmond uses a preemptive approach, applying liquid calcium deicer when an overnight freeze is forecast to prevent ice from forming. When snow starts falling, the City’s snowplows clear arterial roadways while applying mixtures of calcium chloride, road salt and sand, depending on surface conditions. To avoid road closures, they’ll clear one lane in each direction of all priority plow routes before coming back and clearing the rest of the road. Plow routes prioritize access to emergency facilities, schools, and routes in and out of town. For more information on our plow strategy, visit redmond.gov/SnowIce.
You Can Help!
- Avoid driving or plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
- If traveling, bring warm clothes and emergency supplies.
- Review Redmond’s priority plow route map.
- Leave plenty of room for trucks to operate— material spreaders can distribute sand and de-icers across three lanes at once.
- Clear the sidewalk in front of your home or business and clear debris away from the road.
While plowing from left to right is the most efficient way to clear roads, it can result in piles of snow along the edges of roadways. We ask homeowners and businesses to clear these piles from their driveways and private roads so our plows can continue to work efficiently.
Stay Safe During Winter Storms
- Stock up on food and water.
- Put new batteries in your smoke detectors and CO alarms.
- Have flashlights on hand with new batteries.
- Never approach or touch a downed wire— Call 911!
- Never use BBQ grills indoors.
- Stay up to date on weather information and find more safety tips at redmond.gov/Weather.
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