Highway signs serve to break the monotony of long treks as well as daily commutes. “Cold weather cannot be far off, see they folded the ‘bridges may be icy’ sign down.” Or, “Wow, that table sign really means just one picnic table up ahead.” Approaching royal blue “this area open call . . .” signs, I like to suggest my family adopt a couple miles of highway near scenic destinations on vacation though I’m always outvoted. Taking responsibility to care for a stretch closer to home, however, can be a rewarding experience.
Highway cleanup references work their way into this space now and then. After more than 20 years helping our group remove litter between mile markers 111 and 113 along Highway 2/385 north of Alliance, I want to promote the Nebraska Department of Roads’ program and see a few more names listed.
Adopting a highway allows an organization to add to its community service investment while benefiting the environment. The Nebraska Department of Transportation only asks for a two-year commitment, so it can still be a positive endeavor even if the group decides not to renew. This type of standing commitment cuts down on planning time and can be completed easily within a couple hours with a crew of as few as eight or ten volunteers scouring four miles of right of way.
Being outside has been a favorite aspect of walking the asphalt shoulders every spring and fall. Snakes, mostly bull though we have come across a rattler or two, pop up in the tall grass from late April to early June. Since we park on the north side of the New Ginn sugar beet receiving station, there is plenty of truck traffic when we return in September or early October. Rain, even snow at least once, has cut a cleanup short. Setting a date in early spring is easier as we try to come before NDOT tractors mow and shred much of the roadside refuse.
What people throw from their windows or blows off a not entirely secured load can be interesting. You can get a feel of which convenience stores and fast food places litter bugs frequent from the bags, wrappers and cans left behind. We often compare notes on trash highlights of the day. One time I stabbed a ten-dollar bill before I realized what it was then dragged an automatic garage door opener to the side of the road later that day.
If ridding a two- to six-mile section of local highway appeals to your non-profit I suggest calling Brandy Robinson, 308-436-6587, at the Gering NDOT office for information. Nearby two-lane stretches as well as part of the Heartland Expressway south of town are available. As the Nebraska Department of Roads’ web page explains: the State provides the nameplate signs installed at each end of the adopted section, litter bags, traffic signs, safety vests and disposes of the filled trash bags. The road department also supplies groups with safety procedures to apply while “working in a potentially hazardous environment.”
The cleanliness of any given mile of highway may not be noticed while driving 65 or 70 miles an hour, yet slow down or park and there is usually a marked difference between an adopted area and where litter has built up for years. Any non-profit group up to the task should at least consider a two-year commitment to ensuring our state’s highways are a bit more scenic.