BOZEMAN — Based on current road conditions, it may not seem like it — but winter has arrived. The Montana Department of Transportation is gearing up its plows for the inevitable snow season.

“This portion is just your standard everyday plow truck,” said Phillip Shepherd, a tow plow operator, while showing equipment.

Shepherd, originally from Tennessee, has worked with heavy equipment his entire life. He moved to Montana four years ago.

“I joined up with MDT and loved every minute of it,” Shepherd said.

His tow plow is different from a regular plow truck.

“Instead of just doing one lane, I’m clearing two lanes,” Shepherd said. “The most that I’ve ever cleared in a shift is about 460 miles.”

Shepherd lives outside Columbus, Montana, but this winter he will be working in Bozeman.

“They

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