NJDOT Spring Campaign Targets Litter, Debris and Graffiti on State Highways

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has launched its annual litter removal campaign, ramping up efforts to remove trash, debris, and graffiti from state roadways. NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti announced that the department will dedicate more resources to collect litter, prune trees, remove graffiti, and mow grass on the 2,300 miles of state highways. The campaign follows the annual pothole repair campaign that began in March, with NJDOT shifting its focus to concentrate on multiple cleanup maintenance operations on targeted corridors.

NJDOT partners with the New Jersey Clean Communities Council to run the Adopt-A-Highway volunteer program, which allows participating community groups and organizations to clean up a designated section of highway about four times a year. The Sponsor-A-Highway program also offers businesses and individuals the opportunity to beautify New Jersey's roadways through sponsorships. Sponsors can arrange for private, state-approved contractors to perform highway maintenance services in their name, with a sign featuring their name and logo placed at the beginning of their designated highway section.

NJDOT encourages motorists to keep their trash in their car until they can dispose of it properly in a recycling bin or garbage can at their destination. With litter crews and volunteer groups out in full force, drivers are reminded of New Jersey's Move Over law, which 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 it is not safe to move over, drivers are urged to slow down.

To adopt a state highway, organizations can visit www.njclean.org to fill out an application or contact the Clean Communities Council at 609-989-5900 or njccc@njclean.org. Motorists can call 1-800-POTHOLE or click on the Highway Maintenance Reporting button on the NJDOT homepage at www.njdotproblemreporting.com to report a roadway maintenance issue on a state highway. Real-time travel information can be found on NJDOT's traffic information website at www.511nj.org.