Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Office of Public AffairsFor Immediate Release
March 17, 2008Media contact: Chuck Wolfe
Chuck.Wolfe@ky.gov
Miranda Thacker
Miranda.Thacker@ky.gov
502-564-3419Adopt-a-Highway groups poised to ‘spring clean’ roadsides, help preserve scenic beauty of the commonwealth
Spring Clean Week is March 23-29FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 17, 2008) — Volunteers will be out in full force next week to spring clean Kentucky’s roadsides. The Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) today announced that the Adopt-a-Highway Spring Clean Week will be March 23-29.
“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet appreciates the effort put forth by all Adopt-a-Highway groups in keeping our highways and communities beautiful and litter-free,” Transportation Secretary Joe Prather said.
Nearly 1,100 groups now participate in Kentucky's Adopt-a-Highway program, which the cabinet established in 1988. Volunteers clean approximately 8,000 miles of roadsides annually and set an example of responsible environmental stewardship.
“The increase in new groups enrolling in the program shows that Kentuckians place a high importance on maintaining and improving the scenic beauty of our state,” Prather said. “Through their participation they are sending a message that littering is simply unacceptable in our commonwealth.”
By reducing litter, the Adopt-a-Highway program promotes public environmental awareness and makes it easier to promote tourism. The program also creates a partnership between citizens, community and government, and establishes a sense of pride in our Bluegrass State. The Transportation Cabinet salutes all participants and thanks them for their tireless efforts.
GET INVOLVED!
How can you contribute to your community, make a difference, send a message and educate others – all while having fun with friends and family? Join Kentucky’s Adopt-a-Highway Program. By taking personal responsibility for one of your area roadways, you will be setting an example for your community.
The environment is everyone’s responsibility. Adopt-a-Highway provides the opportunity to be a part of the solution. Each year, the KYTC spends about $5 million and 200,000 worker hours to remove 96,000 bags of litter from Kentucky roadways. As an Adopt-a-Highway volunteer, you will save thousands in taxpayer dollars and demonstrate to others that a clean environment is important.
Any permanently established business, association, community or public organization, or government entity can adopt a stretch of highway. A wide range of groups throughout Kentucky now participate, including homemaker clubs, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, high school organizations, service clubs, veterans, college fraternities and sororities, sports teams and church groups, among others.
Volunteers adopt two-mile sections of highway under a two-year, renewable contract with the Transportation Cabinet.
Adopt-a-Highway coordinators can explain the fundamentals of the program to volunteer groups, work with group members in locating an available highway, and keep them notified of news and upcoming events.
Litter pickups are held at least four times per year or as many times as necessary to keep the area reasonably litter-free. The Cabinet coordinates three annual clean-up efforts throughout the year.
HOW DO I JOIN?
Groups interested in becoming members of the Adopt-a-Highway Program can find details and district coordinator information at http://adopt-a-highway.ky.gov/. Safety guidelines are provided to volunteers and should be reviewed prior to each cleanup.
Your Adopt-a-Highway coordinator will help you get in touch with your county's maintenance crew superintendent to arrange warning sign placement on the date of your pickup. Trash bags and safety vests can be obtained at each state maintenance facility, and litter removal is provided by the state highway crews.
For more information, visit our Website, www.transportation.ky.gov, and follow the links to Adopt-a-Highway. For questions or comments, contact Miranda Thacker, 502-564-3419, or e-mail Miranda.Thacker@ky.gov .
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