PennDOT calling for volunteers for cleanup of Northwest PA state roadways

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is search for volunteers to lend a hand in aiding cleanup of state roadways in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

These cleanup efforts are a part of a volunteer program by PennDOT named "Adopt-a-Highway," or AAH.

"We are once again appealing to the public to help us keep our state beautiful by disposing of garbage in the proper manner and assisting with cleanups through Adopt-a-Highway," said AAH coordinator of PennDOT's northwest region Cheryl Wimer.

Through the AAH program volunteers are tasked with collecting litter through a two-mile section of state road twice a year, once in the spring and another time in the fall.

Last year around 23,000 volunteers in 4,600 groups collected 39,000 bags of trash across the entire state just from state roadways.

In just the northwest region last year, 521 groups helped pick up trash on roadways spanning 1,266 miles in total.

Currently, about 2,779 miles in state roadways are "up for adoption," with 567 miles in Mercer still available.

Those who are interested in signing up for the program can follow the steps below.

• Apply for the program online.
• Use an interactive map to 'point and click' to select a roadway when applying.
• Request supplies for an event.
• Enter trash collection requests.
• Notify PennDOT after the event that bags are ready for pick-up.
• Update group information, such as contact name, phone number and email address.
• Renew or cancel an agreement.
• Returning groups are reminded to renew their commitment to the clean-up effort by completing the online form every two years.

One can get more information on the Adopt-a-Highway program at the link here.

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