PennDOT Seeks Volunteers to Assist with Roadside Beautification in Northwestern Pa.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking volunteers for its Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) programs to assist with cleaning litter from state-owned roadsides.

PennDOT said the task is too big for crews to handle alongside other duties like filling potholes and cleaning ditches, so it's asking for the public's help.

Between Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren Counties, PennDOT had 535 groups participate in AAH program last year, adopting more than 1,300 total miles.

More than double that number of roadways - almost 2,750 miles - is available for adoption. 

Roadways and other areas can be adopted by individuals or organized groups such as clubs, schools, churches, businesses, and families. PennDOT posts signs along the roadway giving the volunteers credit for the work.

Gloves, trash bags and safety vests for the cleanup campaign are provided by PennDOT, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Pick Up Pennsylvania from March 1 to May 31.

Interested groups and individuals can sign up for the program by going online here to do the following:

• Apply for the program online.
• Use an interactive map to ‘point and click’ to select a roadway when applying.
• Request supplies for an event.
• Enter trash collection requests.
• Notify PennDOT after the event that bags are ready for pick-up.
• Update group information, such as contact name, phone number and email address.
• Renew or cancel an agreement.

Returning groups are asked to renew their commitment to the program by completing the online form every two years.