NJDOT begins annual spring litter removal campaign
Targeted blitz on trash, debris, and graffiti ramps up on state roadways
NEW JERSEY – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Acting Commissioner Fran O’Connor announced the start of the annual litter removal campaign this week.
“Litter removal is a year-round initiative, but beginning this month, NJDOT will deploy its Highway Operations Technicians statewide in a targeted campaign to collect debris, remove graffiti, prune trees, and mow grass on the 2,300 miles of state highways,” Acting Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. “This annual blitz allows us to focus our resources on known litter hot spots and make greater headway in our effort to keep the shoulders, medians, and ramps on our roadways safe, clean, and litter free.”
Following the annual pothole repair campaign that began in March, NJDOT will begin to focus on litter, graffiti, and vegetation removal. Although pothole repairs will continue year-round, NJDOT crews will now shift to concentrating multiple cleanup maintenance operations on targeted corridors, leaving the location visibly transformed within days.
NJDOT maximizes litter removal efforts by partnering with the New Jersey Clean Communities Council to run the statewide Adopt-A-Highway volunteer program. Participating community groups and organizations are allocated a stretch of highway that has been determined to have minimal traffic and is safe for volunteers. Groups are provided training, safety gear and litter removal equipment to clean up their designated section of highway about four times a year.
In addition, the Sponsor-A-Highway program offers businesses and individuals the opportunity to help beautify New Jersey’s roadways through sponsorships. Sponsors can arrange for private, state-approved contractors to perform highway maintenance services in their name.
In return, a sign with each sponsor’s name and logo is placed at the beginning of their designated highway section. Everyone has a role to play in keeping New Jersey beautiful by putting litter in its proper place.
The Department encourages motorists to keep your trash in your car until you can dispose of it properly in a recycling bin or garbage can at your destination.
With litter crews and volunteer groups out in full force, we want to remind drivers of New Jersey’s Move Over law that requires motorists to move over if it is safe to do so when they approach highway workers or emergency or service vehicles stopped on the side of the road. If you cannot safely move over, “Please Slow Down.”
If your organization is interested in adopting a state highway, you can visit www.njclean.org to fill out an application or contact the Clean Communities Council at 609-989-5900 or njccc@njclean.org.
To report a roadway maintenance issue on a state highway, motorists can call 1-800-POTHOLE or click on the Highway Maintenance Reporting button on the NJDOT homepage at www.njdotproblemreporting.com.
