Winter road maintenance isn’t just about clearing snow—it’s about safeguarding communities, ensuring reliability, and prioritizing sustainability in every storm. For Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, achieving these goals became more challenging as rising costs, inefficient equipment, and mounting frustrations put their operations to the test.

Amid these hurdles, the city found a solution that became a pivotal turning point and a springboard for transforming its approach to winter maintenance. By partnering with Epoke, they transformed their winter maintenance strategy, saving an incredible $3 million and setting a new standard for innovation and efficiency.

Challenges for the City

Like many municipalities, Cuyahoga Falls relied on traditional hopper systems for road maintenance during winter storms. While functional, these systems posed significant limitations:

Inconsistent Application: Salt and materials were spread unevenly, leaving some areas untreated while others were oversaturated.
• Material Waste: Inefficient spreading led to unnecessary salt use, escalating costs.
• Lack of Precision: Monitoring and optimizing salt usage proved nearly impossible.

Chuck Novak, the city’s lead operator, expressed growing frustration. Tracking salt usage and managing rising costs had become a daunting task. The city needed a solution that could deliver precision, reduce waste, and lower costs without compromising safety.

The Call and Answer

When Cuyahoga Falls introduced our bulk spreaders, the transformation began. Moments like these are the reason behind why we design our products! Epoke spreaders addressed the city’s challenges head-on with precision and sustainability in mind.

Pivotal Features

Epoke’s bulk spreaders include:

• Pre-Wetting Technology: Improves material adhesion and reduces scatter, enhancing effectiveness.
• Ground-Speed Control: Ensures consistent application rates regardless of vehicle speed.
• Symmetry Adjustments: Allows for customized spreading patterns to meet specific road conditions.

The city conducted a trial period to test these features, and the results were immediate: a 50% reduction in salt usage compared to traditional methods. Roads remained safe, but material waste and costs dropped dramatically. 

An Impactful Cost Savings

Between 2005 and 2014, Cuyahoga Falls saved over $3 million in dry material costs by using our spreaders. Beyond the short-term results, the city projected even more significant savings:

• $4.75 million in savings over 15 years, reinforcing the long-term return on investment.
• Fewer salt deliveries and reduced labour costs due to optimized operations.

These savings didn’t just justify the initial investment—they highlighted the value of adopting innovative and sustainable technology.

A New Era of Winter Road Maintenance

Cuyahoga Falls’ partnership with Epoke North America transformed its winter road maintenance approach, setting a new benchmark for municipalities across North America. The financial savings were undeniable, but the benefits extended far beyond dollars:

• Operational Efficiency: Crews worked smarter, not harder, thanks to Epoke’s precision spreading and advanced controls.
• Environmental Impact: Reduced salt usage meant less runoff into local waterways, aligning with the city’s sustainability goals.
• Safety and Reliability: Roads remained safe, even during severe winter conditions.

Epoke’s commitment to trust, innovation, and care made all the difference, proving that the right tools can empower communities to tackle even the harshest winter challenges.

Cuyahoga Falls’ $3 million success story is a testament to the power of innovation and partnership. Municipalities facing rising costs and inefficiencies can take inspiration from their experience and discover how Epoke spreaders can revolutionize their operations.

📞 Ready to learn more about Epoke? Call 613-838-2300 or email products@epokena.com to request a consultation or demo.

Join cities like Cuyahoga Falls in transforming winter road maintenance—one innovative solution at a time. ❄️