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| Original News Release |
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| Original News Release |
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What is Adopt-a-Highway?
The Ministry of Transportation Adopt-a-Highway Program is a roadside maintenance and enhancement initiative intended to encourage local stewardship of public highway rights-of-way. The Adopt-a-Highway program offers both non-profit and for-profit organizations opportunities to contribute to their community and province. This program is aimed at promoting community pride while publicly recognizing the organization’s efforts. Through partnership with the ministry, organizations have the opportunity to “adopt” a section of provincial highway to help carry out or sponsor such activities as mowing, weeding, landscape beautification and litter pickup.
Who may participate?
Those interested may become involved as individual volunteers, as an established volunteer organization, or as a business sponsor of a private contract. Volunteer groups may be an assembly of individual citizens, service clubs or associations, or employees of a business. Private sponsors may participate by hiring professional contractors to carry out the roadside maintenance and/or enhancement work. Participants in the program must be at least 12 years of age and in good health. Supervision is required for those under 18.
How it works
The participating group or sponsor agrees to “adopt” a section of highway for at least two years, with adopted sections to typically include roadsides, medians, and interchanges. The size of the sections will vary depending on the location, the scope of maintenance and enhancement work to be done, and the capabilities of the adopting organization.
The scope of work can include litter pickup, mowing, floral displays and weed control. Litter pickup is a basic requirement under the Adopt-a-Highway Program and generally must be done at least four times a year, in addition to any other activities undertaken. Participants may choose a section of highway for adoption subject to its availability under the program and the ministry’s approval of the work proposed.
The safety of participants is the primary concern in determining assignments. Volunteer adoptions are generally limited to activities that do not involve operation of large equipment or power tools adjacent to the road, unless they have the resources to use experienced contractors to perform such work.
Requests for highway adoption are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The ministry will install signs to recognize groups that adopt sections of highway. For volunteer groups, the ministry will provide traffic advisory signs, safety information and training, safety vests, trash bags and disposal of filled bags.
Who to contact
For more information, contact your local B.C. Ministry of Transportation District Office. Offices are listed at www.th.gov.bc.ca/bchighways/contacts.htm online.
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