Adopt a Highway

The Arizona Department of Transportation remembers veterans for their commitment to our great nation. We also honor those who currently serve.

The Wild West Detachment Marine Corps League expresses its continuing dedication by cleaning an adopted stretch of State Route 80 near Tombstone.

Hours of contributed time and personal resources have resulted in this Wild West bunch filling more than 250 bags with tossed trash over the past 21 years.

ADOT volunteers uncovered some interesting and what some might call scary trash during Saturday’s National CleanUp Day event in Loop 202 right of way in Tempe.

Pre-Halloween chuckles resounded when a well-worn mask depicting a character from the 1996 horror film “Scream” reared its ugly head. That helped keep everyone motivated and on their toes.

Volunteer group leader Arturo Delgado wasted no time heading out for a first cleanup on his newly adopted mile, located on State Route 87 from milepost 222 to 224. The segment is near the western trailhead to Mount Ord (external link) and was Delgado’s choice for the adoption. He told me that it was because the area is near a heavily used trailhead and brake check area that can attract litter.

Earlier this week, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recognized ADOT for measurable improvements to the environment through the actions of volunteers participating in our Adopt a Highway volunteer program. This Copper Level award reflects the importance of the more than 6,000 Adopt a Highway volunteers who keep Arizona grand by removing litter along state highways. 

As ADOT’s Adopt a Highway program coordinator,  my experiences interacting with volunteer groups show the best of humankind. Here are just a few examples of volunteer groups making a difference.

It lies between mileposts 180 and 181 of State Route 87, a few minutes north of the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway. Its endpoints are a little north of Mesa Drive and right at Stapley Drive. There’s a deep wash with a culvert about one-third of the mile north of milepost 180, a helpful landmark when dividing both directions for an Adopt a Highway litter pickup. And it’s a little nicer today because of a visit from Elliott Family and Friends, our group that recently adopted this mile.

The Arizona Department of Transportation welcomes 18 of the newest volunteer groups helping keep Arizona highways clean!

These families, groups and organizations recently made a choice to adopt or renew adopted miles and  to reduce litter along highways in their communities:

With National CleanUp Day approaching on Sept. 16, I want to express my thanks to our volunteers who consistently pick up trash along our state highways. 

We hope that existing volunteers and those wanting to participate in a one-day cleanup will register to participate on this day set aside for individuals and organizations to work together in reducing litter in their communities.

Registration begins here for the Sept. 16 annual cleanup event to help reduce litter along Arizona’s state highways.

Welcome back seasoned volunteer groups and all new permit holders. Dust off those litter picker-uppers and head out with friends and family for the 6th annual Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) litter clean up held on National CleanUp Day, Saturday, Sept.16.