The northwest region of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is urging drivers to reduce littering along the road by assisting roadside departments with cleanup efforts.

Crews were out Wednesday in Erie county collecting litter on State Routes 79 and 90, and in Venango County on Route 322 and Interstate 80. Plans for Crawford and Mercer Counties are in the works as well.

In addition, PennDOT employees from Warren and Forest facilities have formally adopted roadways and were cleaning as well this week. The Civil Engineer Council, which is made up of newer employees from the District 1 office in oil city adopted the Interstate 80 interchange with Route 8 in Venango County.

District 1's Roadside Specialist Cheryl Wimer urges residents to be mindful of where they throw away their trash to reduce littering.

"We ask everyone to be mindful of their trash and throw it away at appropriate places like rest areas instead of tossing it from windows or leaving it behind on tables and benches," Wimer said.

Wimer also coordinates the region's Adopt a Highway (AAH) program, which is a volunteer program focused on cleaning up litter. In 2021, volunteer numbers grew for the program as 45 groups signed up for the program total so far compared to 10 total that signed up in 2020.

"We are pleased so many groups stepped up to help us take on the task this year and welcome more to join. Now is the start of our push to clean up the roadways one more this fall," 

Anyone interested in joining the AAH program can visit its website or call Wimer at 814-678-7042