In a week dedicated to safety, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Southwest Region brought the heat—and the heavy machinery.
During National Work Zone Awareness Week, ALDOT hosted its annual Mobile Area Equipment Operators ROADeo state qualifier in Bay Minette. The event wasn’t just about horsepower and hydraulics—it was a celebration of skill, teamwork and a serious commitment to safety.
Operators from across the region competed in a series of precision challenges designed to test their command of highway maintenance equipment. The name of the game? Safety, skill and a little bit of friendly competition.
2025 Mobile Area Equipment Roadeo Results
- Single-Axle Dump Truck
- Justin Booker – Conecuh/Escambia District
- Delarance McGinney – Mobile District
- Russell Stanley – Baldwin District
- Tandem-Axle Dump Truck
- Lincon Mund – Baldwin District
- Justin Booker – Conecuh District
- Darrell Tartt – Mobile District
- Skid Steer
- Wesley Hall – Baldwin District
- Justin Booker – Conecuh/Escambia District
- Dalton Boles – Mobile District
- Backhoe
- Gavin Thompson – Baldwin District
- Prince Wiley – Conecuh/Escambia District
- Andre McQuay – Mobile Area
- Tractor
- David Lankford – Conecuh/Escambia District
- Billie Mitchell – Baldwin District
- Max Mendenhall – Mobile Area
- Motor Grader
- Mack Hastings – Baldwin District
- Ellis Gill – Conecuh/Escambia District
- Dedric Smith – Mobile District
Highlights from the event:
- Event: Mobile Area Equipment Operators ROADeo – State Qualifier
- Location: Bay Minette, Alabama
- Dates: April 21–25, 2025, during National Work Zone Awareness Week
- What’s next: Winners advance to the state ROADeo, then on to the Southeast Regional ROADeo this fall in Kentucky
The competition included tight obstacle courses, complex maneuvers, and tasks requiring laser-sharp control of graders, loaders, backhoes and dump trucks.
And while the public is reminded to “Respect the Zone, so we all get home,” during National Work Zone Awareness Week, ALDOT’s maintenance crews double down on work zone safety—both in the field and behind the competition wheel.
Stay tuned to see who takes their talents to the next level!
