MDOT is looking for more Adopt-A-Highway volunteers

Contact: Bob Felt, MDOT Office of Communications,
feltb@michigan.gov 
989-731-5090

Agency: Transportation

March 25, 2011 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is taking applications for Adopt-A-Highway volunteers in northern lower Michigan. While the state already has more than 32,000 volunteers lined up, more help is needed this year to clean up highways in MDOT's North Region. The popular statewide beautification program enables volunteers to adopt a stretch of state highway and clean it three times each year.

"For the past 20 years, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers saved MDOT about $1.5 million," said MDOT Grayling Transportation Service Center Manager Jay Gailitis. "However, in times of financial challenge, we need more dedicated volunteers to join our pickup crews."

Current volunteers include members of various civic organizations, churches, labor unions, corporations, government employees and family members honoring a loved one. A number of 2-mile sections of highway remain available for adoption.

For information about how you can become involved, contact MDOT at 989-344-1802, or visit the MDOT Web site at www.michigan.gov/adoptahighway and view a video about the program. To get started, simply contact your local MDOT coordinator to sign up (names and phone numbers are listed on the Web site.)

Gailitis also reminds motorists, "Drive safely whenever you see our volunteers out cleaning the highways."

MDOT says: Remember - In Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!