Keeping the Roadways Clean

State, county cleanup programs help the planet, economy.

Roadways in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County continue to be popular as tourism and population continues to grow, and with that, comes more litter.

The Adopt-A-Highway program run by the Texas Department of Transportation aims to keep them as clean as possible.

Keeping roadways clean gives the message that this county and community cares about its appearance, a spokesperson for the highway department stated. In scenic Gillespie County, that makes a difference in the first impressions of visitors. And even the smallest efforts can pay big dividends in the appearance of area roadways.

The original Adopt-a-Highway program, which includes roads maintained by the state, began in 1985 and currently has more than 3,400 participating groups across the state, according to TxDOT’s website.

Anyone interested can stop by the local TxDOT office or apply online. The department is always looking for additional roadway cleanup sponsor organizations.

The local TxDOT office is located at 1623 E. Main St. The phone number is 830-997-4361.

Individuals, families, youth organizations, businesses (large and small), civic and nonprofit organizations, religious groups, fraternities, sororities and schools are among the groups encouraged to adopt highways.

Those who adopt roads will pledge to pick up trash along the typically two-mile length for a minimum of two years.

Interstate highways are not eligible for adoption.

The highway adopters agree to pick up litter four times a year. Signs will be posted with the group’s name at their adopted section.

Adopt-A-Highway will provide volunteers with safety vests, trash bags and safety training.

Applications are available at www.dot.state.tx.us/apps-cg/aah/ contact.htm. Guidelines for highway adoption are also available at http:// ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trv/ aah/application-guidelines.pdf.

Gillespie County also provides an “adopt-a-county road” program that allows locals to clean up roads maintained by the county.

The two-mile stretches of road are adopted for a minimum of two years and the entities agree to pick up litter four times a year or more in heavy traffic areas.

Like TxDOT’s adopt-a-highway program, a sign will be erected with the participant’s name.

On clean-up days, safety information, trash bags, traffic control signs and safety vests will be provided.

Applications and more information is available by calling 997-1726 or visiting www.gillespiecounty.org.

Cleaning up roadways not only benefits the planet, it also helps grow the economy, as a cleaner road is more attractive to Fredericksburg’s continuously growing tourism population.

— Standard-Radio Post file photo

Country Highway Adoption