Contact: Christa Schaefer, (608) 266-3943
christa.schaefer@dot.wi.gov

Volunteers remove tons of trash and recyclables to keep roadsides looking clean and green for state residents and visitors

Motorists are asked to be alert for Wisconsin’s Adopt-a-Highway volunteers who are busy collecting a winter’s worth of trash and recyclables along state highways. Last year, Wisconsin’s 2,864 Adopt-a-Highway groups collected 180 tons of trash and recyclables. County highway crews gather the bagged materials for proper disposal.

“Wisconsin’s Adopt-a-Highway volunteers provide a tremendous service to taxpayers by helping keep our roadsides looking attractive for both state residents and tourists,” said Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Dave Ross. “We ask drivers to be cautious and alert anytime they approach roadside workers.”

Of the 11,800 miles of state highway in Wisconsin, about 4,000 miles (about one-third of the system) are still available for adoption, meaning there’s plenty of room for interested volunteers. Groups interested in adopting a state highway segment can find more information on the WisDOT website.

Adopt-a-Highway workers are asked to clean-up their assigned two-mile state highway segment at least three times per year. WisDOT furnishes safety vests, highway worker signs, a safety training video, trash bags, and two permanent signs identifying the group. Each group must provide one adult supervisor for every five or six volunteers. Groups do not work in dangerous areas like medians, bridges or steep slopes.

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