MISSOURI PROGRAM TAPS MANY VOLUNTEERS

Missouri's highways are hot properties.

Since the inception of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department's "Adopt-A-Highway" program in 1987, more than 10,000 miles of highway have been adopted by individuals and groups dedicated to helping keep Missouri roads litter-free.

Among "adopters" are the Concerned Citizens of Gordonville, a group that has collected litter along 3 miles of Route 25 for the past five years.

"It's something we enjoy doing," said Paul Seabaugh, who organizes a six- to eight-member crew about four times a year to participate in "Adopt-A-Highway."

Missouri's Adopt-A-Highway program has met with considerable enthusiasm and success in Southeast Missouri over the past decade.

In District 10 alone, which covers much of Southeast Missouri, there are 478 groups of highway adopters. The roads adopted range from half-mile stretches within city limits to 2- and 3-mile stretches on highways.

Adopters collect trash over a total of 876 miles in District 10.

"A lot of the mileage includes interstate highways," said Brian Bard, who coordinates the District 10 program from his Sikeston office. "We also have a number of two-lane highways and few roads inside cities."

Statewide, there are more than 5,600 groups patrolling more than 10,000 miles. With six to 10 people involved in each group, that translates into participation by 35,000 to 55,000 people.

"The program frees up some of our employees to do other jobs," said Bard. "Such as filling in potholes, and making other highway improvements.

Highway adopters can sign up for one of three programs -- mowing, litter pickup and landscaping. Most choose litter pickup.

Groups agree to a three-year commitment, and must pick up the trash at least four times a year. The state provides trash bags and vests for the workers, and picks up the trash from the shoulder of the road.

"Basically the adopters supply the labor and we supply the expenses," said Bard.

The growth of new adopters has remained constant in Southeast Missouri, according to Bard.

"We have had some cancellations," said Bard. "But we have a waiting list."

As a way to say "thanks," the state posts the adopter's name on highway signs. The transportation department picks up any interstate areas that haven't been adopted.

Bard said the state stresses safety.

"On interstates, we don't let adopters pick up the median," he said. "We don't want the workers to have to cross the road."

So far, there haven't been any accidents, said Bard.

The Concerned Citizens group has been patrolling its 2 1/2 miles over the past five years.

"Our group is comprised of senior citizens and we're getting older," said Seabaugh. "But we've kept things picked up along our route and we've had a good time doing it. You don't realize it, but we've probably picked up a ton of garbage over the past five years."

The Concerned Citizens group is indicative of hundreds of people who walk along the state's highways picking up litter.

"The program is working well," said Bill Edwards of the Jackson VFW Club, which is responsible for the overpass and interstate exchange at Fruitland. "Fewer people are littering these days."

When his VFW crew first started seven or eight years ago, Edward said, litter was plentiful.

"But during the past year or so, there has been less and less litter," he said. "I guess motorists see us out there picking up trash, and feel they shouldn't be littering."