- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
RIDOT Purchases $213K Industrial Snowblower from Wisconsin
The new equipment will allow the department to be more efficient in clearing snow in narrow spaces.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has finalized the purchase of a $213,000 industrial snowblower from a dealer in Wisconsin. The Wausau SnoGo Pro-Blast 2000H Front Loader Mounted Snow Blower has a capacity of 2000 tons per hour and will be used to expedite snow cleanup efforts in the state.
Why it matters
The purchase of this specialized equipment comes after recent heavy snowfall in Providence, where the city has had to rent similar commercial blowers from Connecticut to assist with cleanup. RIDOT's new snowblower will allow the department to be more self-sufficient and efficient in clearing snow, especially in tight spaces that normally require the use of loaders.
The details
RIDOT spokesperson Charles St. Martin said the roughly $213,000 purchase was finalized on Friday morning. The equipment is being shipped from a dealer in Wisconsin, though no delivery date has been provided yet. According to the manufacturer, the blower engine can provide an output of 2000 tons per hour. St. Martin noted that the RIDOT's new snowblower is smaller and less expensive than the equipment being used in Providence, as it attaches to a front-end loader rather than being a standalone machine.
- The purchase was finalized on Friday, February 27, 2026.
- The equipment is being shipped from Wisconsin, though no delivery date has been provided.
The players
RIDOT
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, which has finalized the purchase of the industrial snowblower.
Charles St. Martin
A spokesperson for RIDOT who provided details about the snowblower purchase.
Wausau
The manufacturer of the SnoGo Pro-Blast 2000H Front Loader Mounted Snow Blower purchased by RIDOT.
Brett Smiley
The mayor of Providence, whose office said the city is currently renting commercial blowers from Connecticut to assist with snow cleanup.
What they’re saying
“The size of the unit we are buying will suit our needs in places where we have to haul out snow for larger storms.”
— Charles St. Martin, RIDOT Spokesperson (WPRI.com)
“It attaches to a front end loader as compared to those machines which are much more costly.”
— Charles St. Martin, RIDOT Spokesperson (WPRI.com)
What’s next
RIDOT has not provided a specific delivery date for the new snowblower, but once it arrives, the department will be able to utilize the equipment to more efficiently clear snow in Providence and other areas of Rhode Island during future winter storms.
The takeaway
RIDOT's purchase of a specialized industrial snowblower demonstrates the state's proactive approach to preparing for and responding to major winter weather events. By investing in this equipment, the department will be better equipped to quickly and effectively clear snow, especially in tight urban spaces, helping to minimize the disruption caused by heavy snowfall.
