With the hint of spring in the air, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is gearing up to quickly and effectively spruce up the state's roadways. PennDOT's Northwestern outposts are putting out a call for volunteers to join their decade-long battle against roadside litter through the Adopt-A-Highway program. PennDOT District 1 AAH coordinator Cheryl Wimer emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "Each spring we battle to break the cycle of litter along the roadways across the state. It is a task too big for PennDOT crews to handle alongside other duties, such as filling potholes and cleaning ditches," in a statement obtained by PennDOT's official website.

To curb the proliferation of litter, PennDOT offers simple preventative tips, urging citizens to not dispose of trash from vehicle windows and to secure all vehicular loads. With more than double the miles of roadway available for adoption, PennDOT encourages individuals and groups alike to take a stand for cleanliness. "One of the best ways to help decrease the amount of litter is to clean up what is already out there," Wimer explained, signaling an area of potential growth for the program's impact.

In 2023, the numbers spoke volumes about the collective effort: over 4,250 participating groups, nearly 120,400 registered volunteers, and more than 9,250 miles of adopted state-maintained roadways. Yet with 535 groups participating, 1,300 total miles accounted for in District 1 alone, and nearly 2,750 miles still on the table, the opportunity to make a considerable dent in debris is evident.

Those interested are invited to sign up online, where they can also to easily request supplies, select roadways, and coordinate with PennDOT for post-event clean-up. Volunteers are rewarded with recognition signs, and are provided with gloves, trash bags, and safety vests for the cleanup campaign, supplied by PennDOT, the Department of Environmental Protection, and Pick Up Pennsylvania.