Adopt-A-Highway Volunteers Prepare For Last Cleanup Of Year

DETROIT (WWJ) - Adopt-A-Highway volunteers are preparing for the final clean sweep of state highways from Saturday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 2.

Approximately 3,100 groups will be out during the nine-day pickup period, said the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and they will clean more than 7,000 miles of highways.

As a result, State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle is reminding motorists to be cautious when driving past a litter cleanup area.

"Please slow down and watch out for them as they pick up trash," he said in a release. "Drive carefully through the pickup areas, just as carefully as you would through a construction work zone."

Steudle said the state is grateful for the volunteers who help stretch limited resources in keeping Michigan's highways clean. Their collective efforts save MDOT about $1.5 million in litter cleanup costs each year.

The statewide beautification program is supported by groups who pick up litter three times a year, in April, July and September. Volunteer groups include members of businesses, families, churches and civic organizations. Participants adopt both sides of a section of state highway roadside to clean for at least a two-year period.

Currently, 2,800 groups are participating in the program and have adopted over 6,400 miles of Michigan highways. Since 1990, Adopt-A-Highway local groups have collected over a million bags of trash.

There are many two-mile sections of state highway still available for adoption. Groups of three or more people interested in adopting a section are encouraged to contact MDOT, or visit www.michigan.gov/adoptahighway for more details.