​The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking volunteers to participate in the northwest region's Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) programs, which involves cleaning litter from state-owned roadsides.

“Each spring we battle to break the cycle of litter along the roadways across the state. It is a task too big for PennDOT crews to handle alongside other duties, such as filling potholes and cleaning ditches. Therefore, we appeal to the public to partner with us to keep our state beautiful and litter free," Cheryl Wimer, AAH coordinator for PennDOT District 1.

Tips to help prevent litter:

• Do not allow passengers to throw trash out of your vehicle windows. Dispose of items such as food wrappings, drink containers, cigarettes, and other trash at home or in a public receptacle. 
• Keep a small trash bag in your vehicle and empty it as needed.
• Secure all loads to ensure nothing, including loose papers, packing materials or lightweight bags, can dislodge during travel.
• Never leave furniture, televisions or other items along the roadside.
• Help clean up a roadside area in your community.

“One of the best ways to help decrease the amount of litter is to clean up what is already out there," Wimer said. “We have dozens of volunteer groups that take up this call to action, but we have room for dozens more." 

Through the department's AAH program, volunteers collect litter on an approximately two-mile section of state roadway at least two times a year, typically the spring and fall. In 2023, the statewide program had over 4,250 participating groups, nearly 120,400 registered volunteers, and more than 9,250 miles of adopted state-maintained roadways.

PennDOT's District 1, which includes Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties, had 535 groups participate in the 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, along with a variety of other areas, including park and rides in Crawford and Erie counites, scenic views in Forest, Venango, and Crawford counties, and interstate interchanges.

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

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

Interested groups and individuals can sign up for the program by going online at www.adoptahighway.penndot.gov, where they can also 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 reminded to renew their commitment to the clean-up effort by completing the online form every two years.

Additional information on the Pick Up Pennsylvania and Adopt-A-Highway is available online at www.penndot.pa.gov.

Subscribe to PennDOT news in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.  

Follow PennDOT's northwest region on X or Facebook.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Harry, jharry@pa.gov or 814-678-5035​

Editor's Note: The following tables includes information on the AAH in each county included in PennDOT's northwest region.