MoDOT replacing its Adopt-A-Highway Program
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Department of Transportation is replacing its Adopt-A-Highway Program with a new volunteer litter pickup program called Keeping Missouri Beautiful.
The Adopt-A-Highway Program started in Missouri in 1987 and was suspended in May 2023 while the department performed a review of the costs and benefits of the program. MoDOT officials said the findings showed the costs and safety risks outweighed the program benefits.
MoDOT spokesperson Taylor Brune said in a statement said that the analysis showed the average cost per bag of litter collected through the Adopt-A-Highway program is $42 compared to the MoDOT staff pickup cost per bag of $18.
Adopt-A-Highway costs account for MoDOT staff administration of the program, the signs and sign installation and the added costs for staff to pick up the bags left by the volunteers. That adds up to $1.2 million per year to administer the program.
Distracted driving also continues to be a concern for the safety of those picking up trash and cleaning up their adopted highway. Those who participated in the Adopt-A-Highway program would receive a sign from MoDOT on their adopted road with a customized dedication and then volunteer to clean up trash in the adopted area up to four times a year.
MoDOT said the new Keeping Missouri Beautiful program will focus on having community groups do one-time clean-up events that are coordinated with the district offices. MoDOT staff will work with the volunteer groups to organize the community events including advising them on a safe location, providing a safety briefing and even setting up a work zone.
Letters were written to the groups that have adopted a highway about the program changes, according to MoDOT. There are about 5,300 groups with adoptions statewide.
The Jefferson City Lions Club is one of the groups that received a letter stating once its agreement expired, it would not be renewed.
Roger Schwartz, a member of the Lions Club, said they've had a highway adopted in West Jefferson City for years and they plan to continue its cleanup.
"We're a civic organization and we want to continue taking care of the environment, it's part of the Lions motto,” Schwartz said. "We have picked up in the spring and the fall every year we've had this same section. It's about 1.6 miles and we typically pick up about 25 bags of trash each time we pick up."
Each group signs a three-year agreement and MODOT will uphold their adoptions until the agreements expire. This would be no later than 2026.
In its letter, MoDOT stated its maintenance crews will remove the signs and volunteer groups can call MoDOT to arrange a time to pick up the signs for keepsakes.
