Road Adoptions
In 1990, Westmoreland Cleanways, then PA CleanWays of Westmoreland County, began an adoption program for county and local municipal roadways patterned after, and as a complement to, PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway Program. Currently, over 70 roadways are adopted by individuals, families, and businesses throughout the county.
Residents of Westmoreland County municipalities can adopt a section of road, a greenway, or even a community, agree to clean it up a couple times a year, and have their name and organization placed on a sign at each end of the adoption announcing to the public that the road is under the watchful eye of concerned residents. Municipal officials are often involved in local adoptions, assisting adopters with trash disposal, placement of signs, and special support that may be necessary. Westmoreland Cleanways provides supplies: trash bags, gloves, and safety vests, and has sets of safety signs and flags for use on particularly busy roads.
Road adopters list a variety of reasons for adopting their roads – pride in their neighborhood, community service, exercise, concern for the environment. Whatever the reason, road adopters perform a valuable service for their neighbors and for the environment by removing thousands of pounds of trash from our roadsides each year.
Road Adoption Procedures
PA CleanWays, Inc., Westmoreland Cleanways’ affiliate partner, oversees and administers the road adoption program across Pennsylvania. Applications for adoption and additional program information are available on PA CleanWays’ website at http://www.pacleanways.org/adopt_index.html. Adoption applications, cleanup reports, permission forms, and other correspondence are filed with PA CleanWays.
Westmoreland Cleanways works with PA CleanWays to support Westmoreland County road adopters; they handle the paperwork; we’re available for supplies, safety signs, and technical support.
Take the First Step
In an ideal world, everyone would have a litter bag in their car and take their trash home. Until then, carry a plastic bag with you while you walk, get your neighbors involved in a cleanup, or adopt your road or neighborhood. It requires little effort but makes an enormous difference in community pride and environmental health.
