Adopt-A-Highway Program Suspended Due To COVID-19

The Adopt-A-Highway program has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) has announced that groups will no longer be allowed to perform litter pickups. Additionally, the “Great Nebraska Trash-Off,” which is usually held in April and May, will no longer take place and has been suspended.

For organizations that are concerned about missing required litter pick-ups, Carla Davis with NDOT said that they can waive a missed pickup. If organizations have questions regarding the program or suspension please contact your district office or call 402-479-4843.

The first Adopt-A-Highway program in the nation began in Texas in 1985 and is now international in scope. Nebraska’s program officially began in April of 1990, through the efforts of Gretna State Senator, Emil Beyer. The program is currently sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

In the past years, the Adopt-A-Highway program has grown to cover about one-quarter of the State’s 10,000 miles of roads and currently 900 groups have adopted a section of Nebraska roadsides as their own.

In April 2015, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) celebrated 25 years of “Adopt-A-Highway.”  On April 8, Governor Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation naming April as “Adopt-A-Highway Volunteer Appreciation Month” in Nebraska, during a ceremony at the State Capitol. In addition, the month of April is designated as the “Great Nebraska Trash-Off” – a time for all groups to conduct spring cleaning in their areas.

To learn more about the Adopt-A-Highway program you can visit the Adopt-A-Highway page on the NDOT website.

 

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