Drive Safely During Highway Cleanup Campaign

Provincial crews are out early this year working with Clean Nova Scotia and the Adopt-A-Highway program to clean litter from Nova Scotia highways.

Beginning Friday, April 19, provincial crews will work along the 100-series highways and hundreds of volunteer cleaners will work on other roads throughout the province.

"We're urging drivers to use extra caution when passing any highway cleanup people," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Maurice Smith. "We're also encouraging people to stop throwing garbage out of their vehicles."

Last year, 2,500 volunteers picked up 5,028 bags of garbage and recyclable material from the sides of Nova Scotia highways.

"We're pleased to be co-operating with the Clean Across Nova Scotia cleanup initiative," said Gina Bain, co-ordinator, Adopt-A-Highway program. "If scheduling and weather allow, some of our groups will be doing their roadside litter pickups this weekend, in order to be part of this event."

"Volunteers wear fluorescent safety vests and may be close to the road when picking up litter," said Mr. Smith. "These volunteers are our friends, families, service groups and co-workers, and they're doing a valuable job for the benefit of all Nova Scotians."

Adopt-A-Highway is an international roadside litter cleanup program. More information is available at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/wi/projects/adopt.shtml .