The Sconi

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is emphasizing the importance of driver attentiveness to ensure the safety of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers. This program, started by WisDOT in 1991, enables groups to volunteer and support the state's initiative against litter. Volunteers regularly clean up trash and recyclables along roads throughout Wisconsin.

"We are grateful to the thousands of Wisconsinites who generously volunteer each year to pick up trash and recyclables along the roadside," said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. "For nearly 35 years, Wisconsin's Adopt-A-Highway program has truly blossomed as nearly 15,000 volunteers participate in the program each year. Their pride to keep our state beautiful should inspire all of us to properly dispose of trash."

Volunteers in the Adopt-A-Highway program are assigned a two-mile segment of state highway to clean at least three times a year. The program requires all volunteers to be at least 11 years old for work on two-lane highways and 16 years old for work on four-lane highways. Additionally, each group must have one adult supervisor for every five or six volunteers. Work sites are restricted to avoid hazardous areas, such as medians, bridges, or steep slopes.

The administrative process for reporting cleanup efforts is made more efficient through automated forms on the Adopt-A-Highway website. Collected waste is retrieved by county highway crews. WisDOT provides safety vests, highway worker signs, a safety training video, trash bags, and signs identifying each group participating in the cleanup.

WisDOT also advises drivers to wear seat belts, refrain from using phones, and adhere to speed limits, particularly when volunteers are working on the roadside.

More information about the Adopt-A-Highway program is available at wisconsindot.gov/adoptahighway, where a video about the program can also be viewed.