PennDOT is expanding its already successful adopt-a-highway program and is calling on volunteers to participate in this year's "Great Pennsylvania Cleanup" on April 21.

The adopt-a-highway program started in 1990 and now has some 7,100 participating groups and organizations. Participating groups agree to adopt a section of a roadway for two years and collect litter on it at least four times a year. According to PennDOT, more than 17,000 miles of state roads are currently adopted.

"Adopt-a-highway makes a huge difference in Pennsylvania's ability to keep its highways as free from litter as possible," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. "We thank these groups for their participation and welcome new volunteers to this worthwhile effort."

PennDOT encourages its adopt-a-highway volunteers to do one of the four cleanups on the same day as the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup.

The annual cleanup is the largest, state-administered, volunteer effort in the nation. Last year, 132,000 volunteers joined in the litter pick-up effort and gathered more than 312,000 bags, or 6.7 million pounds, of trash. PennDOT provides volunteers participating in the annual cleanup with orange safety vests, work gloves and garbage bags.

While adopt-a-highway groups concentrate on removing trash from Pennsylvania roads, Great Pennsylvania Cleanup volunteers agree to remove litter from wherever they choose, such as roads, parks, streams or playgrounds.

PennDOT estimates it spends about $11.5 million annually in personnel and material costs to remove roadside litter.

Groups interested in adopting a section of highway are encouraged to contact their local PennDOT county maintenance office and ask for the adopt-a-highway coordinator, or visit the Adopt-a-highway webpage or the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup webpages.

3/23/2007