Adopt-A-Highway: Volunteers Ready For Spring Cleaning

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - Spring cleaning begins Saturday for highway roadsides in metro Detroit.

Between April 13 and 21, volunteers will hit the roads to help clean litter and debris from the roadsides as part of the state's Adopt-A-Highway program. During this time, motorists are asked to be extra cautious when driving past a litter cleanup area.

Through the program, organized groups volunteer to clean specific road segments two or three times during the year, in the spring, summer and fall.

"The spirit of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers is Pure Michigan," Kirk Steudle, State Transportation Director, said in a statement. "They keep our roadsides looking great, and help MDOT direct its limited resources to fixing our roads."

The Michigan Department of Transportation provides the training and equipment, and picks up the bagged garbage collected. Additionally, MDOT erects Adopt-A-Highway signs at both ends of the designated road sections recognizing the volunteer groups responsible for the sections.

In 2012, Adopt-A-Highway volunteer groups reported collecting about 65,000 bags of trash, a cost benefit to the state of $5.6 million.

Current volunteers include members of various civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old and each group must number at least three people.

Statewide, there will be a summer pickup from July 13 to 21, and a fall pickup from Sept. 21 to 29.

Sections of highway are still available for adoption. Interested groups should visit www.michigan.gov/adoptahighway for more information. Groups are asked to adopt a section of highway for at least two years. There is no fee to participate.