Trash Bash brings spring cleaning to Indiana highways
Warmer weather means it is time for spring cleaning in the Hoosier State -- and Indiana's highways are no exception. This weekend, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC) and Adopt-A-Highway groups will kick off a major statewide effort to clean up Indiana's highways during Trash Bash -- from April 5-27, 2008.
"Our INDOT crews are constantly working to keep Indiana's highways clean -- it's a huge job that costs the state more than $2 million a year," said INDOT Commissioner Karl B. Browning. "We're pleased to partner with the Department of Corrections and our hardworking Adopt-A-Highway volunteer groups in our ongoing effort to keep Indiana's roadsides beautiful. It's one way we help lessen the financial burden motorists who litter put on taxpayers with their careless actions."
For more than a decade, INDOT and DOC crews, along with Adopt-A-Highway volunteers, have joined forces to spring clean every mile of interstate during Trash Bash. Each year, hundreds of tons of trash are collected -- sprucing up highways in time for nice weather. In 2007, INDOT workers, Department of Correction crews and 249 Adopt-A-Highway groups collected more than 34,500 bags of trash from 3,000 miles of state highways and rights-of-way.
Local Trash Bash events are scheduled at the following locations:
* Roachdale Christian Church will clean State Road 236 from the 23 to 25 mile marker on Saturday, April 19. They will meet at 9 a.m. at the church at 1 North Walnut Street in Roachdale.
* Greencastle Civic League will clean State Road 240 from the 0 to 2 mile marker on Saturday, April 19. They will meet at 8 a.m. at Greencastle Middle School, 400 Percy Julian Drive.
* Danville Boy Scout Troop No. 301 will clean U.S. 36 from the 52 to 54 mile marker on Saturday, April 26. They plan to meet at 8 a.m. at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1005 West Main Street in Danville.
Motorists should be on the lookout for clean-up crews during Trash Bash. When drivers encounter a clean-up crew they should slow down and remain alert for changing traffic patterns.