Adopt-A-Highway Program

During the late 1980s, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) re-assesed its priorities to best allocate limited resources. DOT’s first priority was then – and is now – to operate the state’s highways and bridges safely and cost-effectively; for example, to resolve safety issues, to maintain pavement and guide rail, or to control ice and snow. As a result, fewer resources were available for roadside beautification.

Legislation to formalize New York State’s Adopt-A-Highway Program was passed in 1990 to encourage individuals or groups to clean up highway roadsides and to recognize those volunteers who do. Participation in the program also fosters a sense of community ownership of the roadway as well as a sense of pride in its appearance.

Today, all 50 states have some type of a sponsor-a-highway or adopt-a-highway program in place because there is a very real human need for aesthetically pleasing roadsides in spite of the reality that highway beautification simply cannot compete on an even level with highway safety for ever-diminishing public funds.

Onondaga County DOT followed the NYS DOT guildelines and began an Adopt A Highway program in 2010. The county maintains 800 miles of roadway and appreciates the hundreds of volunteers that currently assist in cleaning up the roadways. The County is always in need of more support!

Adopt-A-Highway Safety Guidelines
Adopt-A-Highway Release Form
Adopt-A-Highway Application