Taking a Ride on a St. Louis County Snow Plow

Equipment operator, Jason Carlson, takes us on his route through Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – With all the recent winter storms, plow drivers across the Northland have been working long shifts, clearing snow from roadways.

“It’s just a constant go, go, go. Not really an end in sight,” said St. Louis County equipment operator, Jason Carlson, on his plow route.

2018-19 is Carlson’s fourth winter driving a St. Louis County snow plow.

“Today it’s just an endless battle,” said Carlson.

Carlson says it’s not a bad gig, but the all-day snowfalls like the Northland has experienced recently make him feel like he’s not making much progress in his thirteen or fourteen hours of plowing.

“Early starts, working late, minimal sleep, we’re kind of beat up right now,” said Carlson.

He plows a route through Hermantown, scraping snow from the same country and suburban roads during and after each winter storm.

“You really have to watch for other people too,” explained Carlson. “You kind of have to drive for them along with yourself.”

Carlson has some tips for how residents can help their local plow driver get through their day as easily as possible.

“Don’t follow too closely,” said Carlson. “We make a lot of stops. We slow down quite often for various things. We’re making turns, we’re backing up, so just give us room.”

He says his biggest obstacles are commuter traffic, navigating around trash cans on garbage pick-up day, and trying not to throw piles of snow on mailboxes.

“Clear the snow out from under and around your mailboxes. Just having that area opened up allows the snow coming off our plows a place to go,” explained Carlson.

And while the challenges are never-ending, plow drivers like Jason Carlson are happy to help keep the roads of St. Louis County clear and safe for drivers.