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North Dakota and South Dakota Compete in Snowplow Showdown
Public votes to determine winner of annual Battle of the Blades tournament
Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:51pm
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The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is facing off against the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) in the second annual Battle of the Blades, a bracket-style tournament where the public votes for their favorite named snowplows. The competition, which runs in conjunction with March Madness, is now in the championship round, with the winning state receiving bragging rights.
Why it matters
The Battle of the Blades is a creative way for the two state DOTs to engage the public and raise awareness about winter driving safety. The friendly competition between North Dakota and South Dakota also highlights the importance of effective snow removal operations during the harsh winter months in the region.
The details
The bracket-style tournament invites the public to create brackets of named snowplows and vote each week for their favorites. NDDOT is asking for votes on its social media accounts and website, as South Dakota won last year's battle and North Dakota is hoping to claim victory this year.
- The Battle of the Blades tournament runs in conjunction with March Madness.
- The championship round voting is taking place on April 5-6, 2026.
The players
North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT)
The state transportation agency responsible for maintaining roads and highways in North Dakota.
South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT)
The state transportation agency responsible for maintaining roads and highways in South Dakota.
What they’re saying
“The contest is a way for both DOTs to talk about winter safety in a fun and engaging way through some friendly competition.”
— Sarah Arntson, NDDOT Spokesperson
What’s next
The public can continue to vote for their favorite snowplows on the NDDOT and SDDOT social media accounts and websites until the championship round voting closes on April 6, 2026.
The takeaway
The Battle of the Blades snowplow competition is a creative way for the North Dakota and South Dakota transportation departments to engage the public, raise awareness about winter driving safety, and foster a friendly rivalry between the two states.
