Essex County Operator Places Fifth at Provincial Truck Roadeo

Shane Beausoleil of the County of Essex roads department placed fifth out of 50 operators from across Ontario this week in a competition testing skill and precision with plows and heavy trucks.

The Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) Safety Truck Roadeo was held Wednesday at the Bayshore Arena in Owen Sound. It featured the best of the best from across the province who had qualified earlier this year in regional competitions. Beausoleil earned his spot by placing second in the competition in LaSalle in July. Scott Fick, from Lakeshore, also represented the region in Owen Sound.

“Qualifying for the Provincial Roadeo is a tremendous accomplishment. It reflects not only the individual's dedication and professionalism, but also the important role that municipal public works departments play in keeping our communities safe, connected and moving every day,” said AORS Executive Director Kelly Elliott in a note to County Council.

“From maintaining roads and bridges to clearing snow, responding to emergencies, and operating the equipment that keeps municipal infrastructure functioning, public works employees are often behind the scenes - but their work touches every resident in your community.”

Beausoleil said the course in Owen Sound was tighter than the regional circuit and put operators to the test. He was driving in an unfamiliar vehicle but rose to the challenge, finishing just 24 points shy of second place. He brushed a few cones and barely touched the rear bar in the reversing portion of the course, which requires operators to stop within six inches. Just one-eighth of an inch less would have moved him up the standings.

“It makes me want to do better next year,” said Beausoleil. “I have something to prove now.”

Beausoleil made the trip Owen Sound with his wife, who knew she was at a conference of roads professionals because every truck in the parking lot was backed neatly into its space.

“Placing fifth among 50 operators from across Ontario is an impressive achievement and a testament to Shane’s abilities. He represented Essex County Highways with skill and professionalism, and his result reflects the standard our operators bring to their work every day,” said Jeremy Krueger, Manager, Maintenance and Operations. “We’re proud of Shane and our entire team for everything they do to maintain Essex County’s road network.”

The Roadeo competition features a variety of knowledge and skills-based tests including the Daily Inspection-Defects test, where operators looks for defects in test vehicles, and the Circuits Test, where drivers navigate a challenging course with three components:

• Backup/Reversing: Back through a narrow passage and stop as close as possible to a barrier without touching it.
• Diminishing Clearance & Stop: Drive between narrowing rows of cones, then lower the front plow into a one-foot-wide drop zone.
• Keyhole: Raise and extend the wing plow to guide it through an elevated opening shaped like a reversed C.