How to Adopt a Highway in New York

New York State's Adopt-A-Highway Program has existed since 1990. Today volunteers have adopted approximately 5,000 miles of state highways and kept them free of trash. With taxpayers' money being spent on highway repair and safety, it is up to valuable volunteers to keep New York State's highways clean. Adopt a highway today and help keep the state beautiful.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• New York State Highway Work Permit
• Orange safety gear
• Trash bags

1. Be sure you are ready to do the required work when you adopt a highway in New York State. You and your team will have to pick up litter along your adopted highway, which is usually a stretch 2 miles long, four times a year for 2 years.
2. Contact your county's Adopt-A-Highway coordinator to find out which sections of highway are suitable and available for adoption. In most cases you can adopt any section that is not already adopted, but sometimes an area may be deemed unsuitable because of volume of traffic or dangerous design.
3. Complete and submit a Highway Work Permit from the New York State Department of Transportation. Your county's Adopt-A-Highway coordinator will provide you with the form, and you will not have to pay the standard permit fee.
4. Prepare for some well-deserved recognition. Once the permit is signed, the New York State Department of Transportation will notify the local media of the adoption and erect a sign in your honor along your section of adopted highway.
5. Attend the required safety briefing conducted by the New York State Department of Transportation and receive the necessary orange safety gear and trash disposal bags.
6. Begin your honorable work cleaning up your adopted highway!

Tips & Warnings

• Minors between the ages of 12 to 18 may participate in the Adopt-A-Highway program as long as they are supervised by an adult. There must be 1one supervisor for every six minors.
• Bring enough bottled water for all group members. Working hard in the sun can result in dehydration.
• Never pick up hazardous materials.
• Do not engage in horseplay while picking up litter. You will endanger yourself and distract drivers.
• Always wear the provided orange safety gear. It is important for drivers to be able to see you.