ONE PIECE OF LITTER AT A TIME

&Build Bloom ONE PIECE OF LITTER AT A TIME

STATE, COUNTY ROADWAY CLEANUP PROGRAMS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN IMPRESSIONS OF VISITORS

With increased visitation seems to come additional litter along our roadways. The AdoptA-Highway program run by the Texas Department of Transportation aims to keep them as clean as possible.

Gillespie County alone has 34 adopted stretches of state-maintained highway as of April, ranging from one to three miles in length.

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 3,800 participating groups across the state, according to TxDOT’s website.

A little regular effort pays big dividends in keeping county roadways free of litter. – File Photo

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 also eligible for adoption. &Build Bloom The highway adopters agree to pick up litter four times a year.

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.

COUNTY HIGHWAY ADOPTION

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

Applications and more information is available by calling 830-997-1726 or visiting

www.gillespiecounty.org.