Adopt-A-Roadway Program

The objective of Saint Louis County's Adopt-A-Roadway Program is:

• To create public awareness of the environmental problems and the cost of unsightly littering along County roadways
• To improve the appearance of our neighborhoods

Problem Statement

Litter pickup, mowing and beautification/landscaping work is both labor intensive and costly. The County Department of Highways and Traffic has many urgent needs for its road maintenance funds, making cleanup a secondary priority to pothole patching, slab replacement, signing, marking and other activities directly related to the safe and efficient movement of traffic. As a result, the accumulation of litter in many areas creates an unsightly roadside environment.

Problem Solution

The Adopt-A-Roadway Program - similar to one operated by the Missouri Department of Transportation - is an opportunity to muster public involvement in correcting the problem, and to create a public awareness of the problem posed by litter accumulation. Any group or individual may adopt a section of an Arterial roadway or a Collector road and assume the responsibility for litter pickup, mowing, beautification, or any combination of these. Adopted sections must be at least ½ mile long.

Adopter Responsibilities

1. Review safety concerns with workers at the beginning of each work cycle.
2. Notify the Adopt-A-Roadway coordinator at the completion of cleanup.
3. Deposit filled litter bags at locations designated for them.
4. Obtain, in advance, permits required for plantings or soil excavation.

Joint Department-Adopter Responsibilities

1. Coordinate work activities with Maintenance district supervisors.
2. Cooperate in developing beautification plans, if the Adopter proposes to do such work. Permits, issued free of charge by the Department, are required for any plantings or work involving movement of soil.
3. Insure that all possible safety precautions are taken for protection of volunteer workers and users of the roadway.
4. Enlist public and private support of the volunteer effort to achieve a cleaner, better appearing roadway environment.

Department Responsibilities

1. Provide bags for litter pickup and safety vests and traffic cones, as deemed necessary.
2. Pickup and dispose of litter bags.
3. Issue permits, free of charge, for beautification plantings and any excavation.
4. Provide safety instruction to adopters, including general rules and special concerns for an adopted site.

Implementation

Adopt-A-Roadway projects may be started at any time by contacting the Adopt-A-Roadway coordinator at (314) 615-8173. The Adopt-A-Roadway coordinator will supply a list of rights-of-way available for adoption in specified areas. When a site is chosen for adoption and the work plan is approved, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed. After safety instructions are given, the Adopter's project can begin.