Keeping it clean thanks to Adopt-A-Highway

If you cruise along a clean highway, chances are you can thank a Pennsylvania Adopt-A-Highway volunteer.

Adopt-A-Highway is part of a national program that began in Texas in 1985 aimed at adopting and beautifying roadways in America. Pennsylvania adopted the program soon after when many residents requested it, according to PennDOT District 9 community relations manager Tara Henry.

"There is now an online application that [interested parties] can fill out," she said. "They can send it in to their district PennDOT office, or they can request an application by phone." Potential applications will then receive a packet they must read and sign, agreeing to the program's terms and conditions.

"[Interested parties] must agree to adopt at least two-mile portions of state highway, and PennDOT must agree that the highway is suitable for adoption. [Interest parties] must pick up litter at least four times a year, and must use safety materials provided by PennDOT." Henry went on to say that there must be a safety meeting held before each pick-up time.

"Participants must be at least 8 years old, and adults must accompany those under 18," she said. "An agreement runs for two years. It renews automatically until a group decides to stop."

Many groups in the Johnstown region, Henry said, are active program participants. Envision Laser Center employees are one such group, according to their general manager Dave Vance.

"One [motivator] is we like to give back to the community and want to be involved," he said. "We have several different projects we do, like being major contributors to the Lions Club." The Lions Club collects eyeglasses. "[Adopt-A-Highway] was brought to our attention and we had the opportunity. It's just a small way to give back to the community.

Center employees have been program participants for a year, and they have an additional volunteer with them. A regular client of theirs goes out with them to pick up trash along their adopted stretch of Route 36 near Ashville.

"He's retired, and he loves doing it," Vance said. "We pick up litter every two weeks, because there isn't that much to clean up when we go back. It also keeps things clean for everyone more often, which is the main goal."

Anyone looking to become participants of the Adopt-A-Highway program should call their district PennDOT office, or they can visit the Adopt-A-Highway website.