Adopt-A-Highway Saves Minnesota More Than $7 Million Annually

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is always looking for individuals and organizations to join the more than 4,500 groups and 45,000 people in the state who are Adopt a Highway volunteers. The program is a public service project that helps reduce litter along the roadsides. It’s been part of MnDOT’s maintenance operations for many years.

The Twin Cities metro area has about 500 sections of roadway maintained by volunteers, according to a news release. The program saves MnDOT more than $7 million annually.

“Some groups have participated since 1990,” said Vicki Kessler, Adopt a Highway program coordinator for the Twin Cities metro area, said in a statement.

Kessler currently has a waiting list for groups wanting to adopt a highway, but there are plenty of roadways available outside the Twin Cities area.

The volunteers, representing schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, families and individuals, clean up more than 10,000 miles of Minnesota roadways each year.

Groups last year spent more than 180,000 hours picking up more than 960,000 pounds of litter, according to Ernest Lloyd, statewide Adopt a Highway manager.

“Volunteers pick up litter, keep the roadways beautiful and save taxpayers money,” said Lloyd. “When our volunteers are out cleaning the roadway ditches, MnDOT employees use their time to maintain our highways. It’s a win-win for the state and it shows that Minnesotans care about their state.”

How does it work?

Community groups, churches, individuals or businesses adopt a highway by picking up litter on both sides of a road at least two times per year for at least two years.

MnDOT will help your group select a highway to adopt. Roads that have heavy traffic or are inaccessible to pedestrians are not eligible.

How do I start?

• Contact your local Adopt a Highway coordinator.
• Choose a representative for your group. The representative will sign an agreement on behalf of the group.
• All participants in the group must review the safety information provided by MnDOT before every pickup.
• Participants must be at least 12 years old unless specifically permitted. Participants 18 years old or younger must have adequate adult supervision.

MnDOT provides volunteers with safety vests, trash bags and safety information.

What if I'm interested in doing it only once?

Pick a Highway is a one-time litter picking activity on an assigned segment of state highway. MnDOT will provide bags, vests, training, and bag retrieval. You contribute approximately four hours of labor.

Is your class seeking an environmental project? Does your business coordinate employee activities in the community? Pick a Highway better fits these situations. Contact an Adopt a Highway coordinator.

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