Arkansas Department of Transportation crews from across the state gathered June 11 to compete in the 2026 Equipment Operators Roadeo, showcasing the skills they use every day to maintain Arkansas highways and interstates.
The annual competition allows Arkansas Department of Transportation employees to demonstrate precision, safety awareness, and efficiency while operating heavy equipment in a controlled environment designed to reinforce real-world safety practices.
Competitors represented their respective Arkansas Department of Transportation districts and were tested in 7 categories including Lowboy Truck, Tandem Axle Dump Truck, Single Axle Dump Truck, Tractor/Mower, Backhoe, Motor Patrol, and Skid Steer.
District 8 captured the overall crew championship, followed by District 5 in 2nd place and District 9 in 3rd place.
Individual winners included Tommy Bull of District 8 in the Lowboy Truck category, Joshua Harness of District 5 in Tandem Axle Dump Truck, Nicholas Epps of District 6 in Single Axle Dump Truck, Blake Angel of District 6 in Tractor/Mower, Chad Foster of District 9 in Backhoe, Nick Rushing of District 5 in Motor Patrol, and Nicholas Walker of District 3 in Skid Steer.
The top 2 finishers in each category will advance to represent Arkansas at the Southeastern Regional Equipment Operators Roadeo in Hampton, Virginia, this October. The regional competition brings together top operators from 13 states for a multi-day showcase of equipment operation skills, safety practices, and technical knowledge.
Arkansas Department of Transportation officials say the Roadeo helps keep crews sharp while increasing safety awareness for employees who work in and around heavy equipment throughout the state.
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