CTDOT to Begin Transition to White Trucks

                The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced today that it will begin a transition from its traditional orange to all-white trucks and other maintenance vehicles – a move that will maintain safety and visibility, save money that can be spent on other critical equipment needs, and speed the delivery of new vehicles.

                The transition will begin with an order of 46 plow trucks and pick-ups that was submitted this month, and the public will begin seeing the new white trucks by this summer. A number of other states, including Ohio, California and neighboring Rhode Island, have converted their DOT fleets to white.

                In addition to winter snow operations, CTDOT trucks are used for road and highway maintenance, and to protect other trucks and workers in work zones year-round across Connecticut with traffic control devices that create a safer traffic pattern.

                “The change from ‘Omaha Orange’ to white trucks is a smart decision for us,” said CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “Like the current fleet, the new trucks will retain the high-visibility red and yellow reflective striping across the back of the truck and an array of flashing and other safety lighting equipment that exceed all federal safety requirements. This equipment helps ensure  the overall safety of CTDOT operations for our workers as well as the motoring public. 

               “The orange color we have been using for many years is a specialty color that not only is more expensive but adds time to delivering an order for new vehicles,” Redeker added.

                A typical CTDOT plow truck costs $195,000; four-wheel drive pick-up trucks are about $30,000.  The change to white vehicles is expected to save $600 per truck.  The projected savings for the upcoming procurement is $27,600 for 46 vehicles.