[chambernews] Fwd: Adopt a Highway volunteers save state $6 million annually

[Karen Amundson (Chamber)]

I thought that this was interesting. Thank you all who Adopt a Highway!!


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Adopt a Highway volunteers save state $6 million annually
Date: 	Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:03:41 +0000
From: 	Gillach, James (DOT) <james.gillach at state.mn.us>
To: 	#DOT_ALLCOMM <ALLCOMM.DOT at state.mn.us>



*Minnesota Department of Transportation*

*News Release*

April 16, 2014                   Contact: Mary McFarland Brooks

              Office: 651-366-4280

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*Adopt a Highway volunteers save state $6 million annually*

/Enables MnDOT crews to //spend more time on highway improvement, safety 
projects///

//

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Volunteers helping with the Adopt a Highway program 
pick up 826,000 pounds—more than 100 dump truck loads—of litter annually 
saving the state an estimated $6 million, according to the Minnesota 
Department of Transportation.

The Adopt a Highway program is staffed by more than 49,000 volunteers 
representing businesses, non-profits, families and individuals who are 
helping to clean up more than 11,000 miles of Minnesota’s highways. The 
program saw an increase of 12 volunteers groups and more than 120 
volunteers in 2013.

“They volunteer because they want to keep Minnesota highways beautiful 
and because they take pride in what they do,” said Ernest Lloyd, Adopt a 
Highway program administrator. “Because of volunteers’ contributions, 
our crews can spend more time on highway improvement and safety projects.”

Even with these great efforts, MnDOT is looking for more volunteers to 
help with this public service campaign, Lloyd said. To become part of 
the program, the volunteer groups agree to:

·Adopt a highway for a minimum of two years

·Select a segment of highway approximately two miles in length (Note: 
only select sections of state highways are available for adoption due to 
safety concerns)

·Pick up litter on both sides of the highway

·Pick up litter as often as needed from spring through fall, usually two 
to three times

MnDOT provides a safety training video, trash bags for cleanup events 
and safety vests for each volunteer. The high-visibility color and 
reflective tape make litter crews more visible to passing motorists.

After the group completes its cleanup MnDOT crews pick up the filled 
bags and large, heavy or hazardous items from the roadside. State 
workers, not volunteers, are responsible for litter pickup along the 
interstate.

Another Adopt a Highway option is “Pick A Highway,” which allows an 
individual, family, business or group the option of trying out the 
program with a one-time pickup of litter along an unadopted section of 
state highway.

Those interested in participating in the program can visit 
www.mndot.gov/adopt/contacts.html 
<http://www.mndot.gov/adopt/contacts.html>for local contact information.

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