Adopt a Highway

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.

Every cleanup day is a new experience for the Prescott Litter Lifters, an Adopt a Highway volunteer group whose beginning dates back to 1981, according to group leader and co-manager Farrish Sharon.

Seven miles of state highway along state routes 69 and 89A are permitted to the group. Recently volunteers responded to a heavily littered site along State Route 69 where 15 bags were filled with personal wipes, water bottles and other trash that had been strewn along the roadway for nearly a mile.

The nation's birthday is a great time to reflect on Arizonans serving the community. Last year, more than 5,900 volunteers assembled to bag litter along adopted miles of state highways. 

These families, groups and organizations made a choice to help reduce litter in their communities while in the pursuit of their own life, liberty and happiness. It’s gesture reflective of the American way.