The Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) popular litter cleanup program will send about 32,000 volunteers out on Michigan highways from July 9-17, in the second of three scheduled pickups this year. Adopt-A-Highway teams from Detroit to Houghton will scour the roadsides for trash. Statewide, there are about 3,100 groups that tackle more than 7,000 miles of highways. Their collective efforts save MDOT about $1.5 million in litter cleanup costs each year.
“Please keep a sharp eye out for the volunteers and drive carefully,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “Their safety is our number one concern. Please slow down and watch out for them as they pick up trash. Adopt-A-Highway is a great way to give back to your community and make a visible different to our quality of life. Let’s do our part by driving carefully when approaching the volunteers.”
Current volunteers include members of civic organizations, churches, businesses and families. There are many 2-mile sections of state highway 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, and to view a video about the program. Just contact your local MDOT coordinator to discuss options and sign up (names and phone numbers are listed on the Web site).
The final pickup of the year is scheduled for Sept. 24-Oct. 2.
Source: News release from Michigan Department of Transportation
