MANKATO,
Minn. - As spring bursts forth, so do the thousands of Adopt-a-Highway
volunteers across the state of Minnesota. Specifically in
south central and southwestern Minnesota, there are close
to 500 active community organizations cleaning nearly 90
percent of the state highways throughout Sibley, LeSueur,
Waseca, Nicollet, Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Martin,
Watonwan, Cottonwood, Jackson, Nobles and Rock counties.
"It's
fitting that during National Volunteer Week, April 18 -
24, we say thank you and recognize the efforts of the hundreds
of volunteers and organizations that participate in Minnesota's
Adopt-a-Highway program," said District 7 Transportation
Engineer, Jim Swanson. "This is an invaluable service
to all Minnesotans and helps leave visitors with a positive
impression of Minnesota as they travel highways throughout
the state, especially here in southern Minnesota,"
Swanson added.
Each
sponsoring organization agrees to pick up roadside trash
along a two-to-three mile section of state highway for a
minimum of two years. Volunteers' efforts help beautify
roadsides and also save taxpayers hundreds of thousands
of dollars in litter removal costs. "Thanks to these
dedicated volunteers and their organizations, the resources
used to pick up litter can instead be invested in highway
improvement and safety projects," added Swanson.
Mn/DOT
provides the volunteers safety training, orange vests, and
trash bags. Once the trash is collected, Mn/DOT maintenance
personnel remove the bags from the roadsides. For safety
reasons, volunteers do not pick up hazardous materials and
are instructed to report the location of the hazardous items immediately
to Mn/DOT offices.
To
learn more about getting involved in Mn/DOT's Adopt-a-Highway
program, log onto the web site http://www.dot.state.mn.us/adopt
or call your nearest Mn/DOT District Office. In south
central Minnesota, there are offices in Mankato at 507-389-6881
or toll free 1-800-657-3747; or in Windom at 507-831-1207
or toll free 1-800-804-3295.
Too
Fast. Too Close. Too Late.
See
ORANGE.
