News release

Highway Clean-up Campaign Begins

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (Oct. 2007 - Feb. 2021)

Hundreds of kilometres of Nova Scotia highways will soon get their annual spring cleaning with the kick-off of the 2016 Adopt-A-Highway program.

"Adopt-A-Highway volunteers have been making Nova Scotia highways look better since 1993," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Geoff MacLellan. "All Nova Scotians can help these hard-working volunteers by slowing down and being extra cautious when they see these groups at work.

"More importantly, drivers can best support these volunteers by not littering. Litter is not only unsightly, it can be a hazard for motorists, cyclists and wildlife."

The program co-ordinates the efforts of volunteers who pick up trash alongside roadways. Last year, 2,543 volunteers cleaned along 940 kilometres of highways and 15 interchanges. They gathered 4,284 bags of garbage and 272 bags of recyclable material.

"Volunteers wear fluorescent safety vests and may be close to the road when picking up litter," said Gina Bain, co-ordinator, Adopt-A-Highway program. "Our volunteers are out there doing work that benefits all Nova Scotians and we want to make sure they're safe."

Adopt-A-Highway is an internationally renowned roadside litter cleanup program. It protects and preserves the environmental health of the landscape and maintains scenic routes for motorists.

More information about the Adopt-A-Highway program is available at http://www.adoptahighwayns.ca/.