Penndot Adopt A Highway

History

In 1984 the idea for the Adopt A Highway program was born when James Evans, an engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation, witnessed litter blowing out of the back of a pickup truck he was following in Tyler Texas. Concerned about the increasing cost to the government of keeping roadways clean, Evans began asking community groups to volunteer to pick up trash along designated sections of local state highways. Evans got few takers for his idea, however, in 1985, Billy Black, the Public Information Officer for the Texas Department of Transportation took up the cause and organized the first official Adopt A Highway program. In April of 1990, The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) began its Adopt A Highway (AAH) program. Since 1990, volunteers have been beautifying roadsides two miles at a time.

Impact

COVID-19 has required changes to the AAH program and how it is administered. AAH program policy has been updated to facilitate resumption of activities and is available to groups wishing to resume participation. Summarizing, groups should schedule events as they have previously with the additional requirements listed below, using the portal (on-line) or as they normally would. Complete information may be requested from county AAH coordinators. Required information: Date of event, all scheduled pickups for the upcoming weekend and week need to be coordinated before the close of business the Thursday prior, Groups must follow current CDC guidelines, i.e. social distancing, wearing of protective masks, hand washing, etc., while completing their work. and CDC/Department of Health information will be in their packets and available to be emailed in advance if requested. The inclusion of the above ensures the safety of our coordinators and volunteer groups while allowing the resumption of AAH activities.

Who Can Volunteer?

COVID-19 has required changes to the AAH program and how it is administered. AAH program policy has been updated to facilitate resumption of activities and is available to groups wishing to resume participation. Summarizing, groups should schedule events as they have previously with the additional requirements listed below, using the portal (on-line) or as they normally would. Complete information may be requested from county AAH coordinators. Required information: Date of event, all scheduled pickups for the upcoming weekend and week need to be coordinated before the close of business the Thursday prior, Groups must follow current CDC guidelines, i.e. social distancing, wearing of protective masks, hand washing, etc., while completing their work. and CDC/Department of Health information will be in their packets and available to be emailed in advance if requested. The inclusion of the above ensures the safety of our coordinators and volunteer groups while allowing the resumption of AAH activities.

Adoption Requirements/Responsibilities

• Adoption Time Length: 2 years

• Adoption Area Size and Location: State highway right-of-ways, including interchange areas, traffic islands or two-mile sections of roadway.

• Age Requirements: Participants must be 8 years of age or older. There must be at least one adult (18 years of age or older) per eight minors (17 years of age or younger). Minors must have parental permission.

• Pickup Events Per Year: minimum of 2

• PennDOT will provide Saftety vests, trash bags, work gloves, "Litter Crew Ahead" signs (when necessary) and other equipment as required by your PennDOT representative.

• PennDOT will pick up bagged litter from the roadside and post signs in recognition of your efforts.