Caltrans Adopt-a-Highway Program

Volunteer Road Crew Receives an Award for Service to Public

You're driving along when you spot a sign that says, "ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY". Perhaps you weren't paying much attention to the road, but suddenly you are! When it seems free of litter you may pay a mental "thanks" to a sponsor listed on the sign.  The program operated by Caltrans (adopt-a-highway.dot.ca.gov) has an online application process.

California Adopt-A-Highway Stats, Facts, Info:

• Adopt-A-Highway program began in 1989 as a government-public partnership.
• States nationwide participate in the program.  California was the 20th state to develop an Adopt-A-Highway Program.
• More than 120,000 Californians have cleaned and enhanced over 15,000 shoulder-miles of roadside.
• There are approximately 2,693 active groups representing an estimated 12,670 participants.
• 70% of the groups are volunteers who perform the services themselves- 30% are sponsors who hire a contractor.
• There are five different types of adoptions: Litter Removal, Vegetation Control, Tree and Shrub Planting, Wildlower Planting and Grafiti Removal.
• Age 16 and older may participate in a volunteer group, but the group leader must be at least 21.
• An adoption site usually spans a two-mile stretch of roadside.
• Adoptions are usually offered in five year segments, but there's no penalty for pulling out early.
• There's virtually no cost to Litter Removal, while other forms of sponsorship may incur costs.
• Sponsorships can be contracted out to companies (per application approval) to perform the work.
• Road cleanup sponsors are required to take safety courses.