Grand Canyon Times

Volunteers with the Arizona Department of Transportation's Adopt a Highway program played a significant role in maintaining the state's highways in 2024. These volunteers removed 10,400 bags of litter and contributed 17,891 hours of labor, valued at $538,000.

"These impressive numbers only begin to tell how Adopt a Highway volunteers are making a significant difference in Arizona," stated Mary Currie, ADOT’s Adopt a Highway Program Manager. "State highways that provide a first impression for many visitors, and making sure they are as clean as possible enhances Arizona’s natural beauty."

The program saw participation from 7,686 individuals across 871 volunteer groups who adopted state highway miles. Most of these activities took place outside Arizona's metropolitan areas.

Opportunities remain for more Arizonans to join the initiative. Individuals, families, religious groups, and others can obtain two-year permits to clean up roadside litter on designated highway segments. These segments are typically one mile in each direction and located mainly in rural areas considered safe for volunteers.

Volunteer groups commit to cleaning their adopted stretch at least once annually, with three or more times preferred. They coordinate with ADOT for safety vests, litter bags, training for cleanup events, and report their results afterward.

Each adopted highway segment features a recognition sign displaying the name of the participating group.

For those interested in joining the effort, further information is available at azdot.gov/AdoptAHighway.