MNDOT Realizes $7 Million Benefit From Adopt-A-Highway Program

Not only has the Adopt-A-Highway program along Minnesota's highways made them look a whole lot cleaner, it's also provided a cost-savings from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.  According to information released by MNDOT, those roadside volunteer garbage pickers saved the state an estimated $7 million in 2018.

Since it was instigated by MNDOT in 1990, the Adopt-A-Highway program has been a successful partnership between the state and it's residents.  More than 4,400 segments of state highways are currently adopted by volunteers representing schools, businesses, faith-based organizations and groups, families, and individuals.  Want to take part?  There's still room for you; more than 700 segments of state highways remain up for adoption - most of them in the Greater Minnesota non-metro area.  In the Twin Cities, 28 segments are currently available.

Here are the statistics for Adopt-A-Highway from 2018:

• Estimated cost savings:  $7 million
• Bags of litter:  36,000
• Miles of highway cleaned:  almost 9,000
• Number of volunteer groups taking part:  3,500
• Hours logged cleaning roadways:  282,000