Adopt-a-Highway
The Adopt-a-Highway program is a roadside clean-up program that promotes pride and local ownership in Washington's highways. Sponsors can also have their logo posted at their sponsorship area.
Adopt-A-Highway volunteer groups must follow COVID safety guidelines and follow the requirements of Governor Inslee’s Amended Proclamation 12-14 (PDF 274KB), including providing a declaration (DOC 29KB) to WSDOT that the group meets the requirements of the vaccine verification, exemptions and accommodations. Please speak with your local coordinator for details.
Join the Adopt-a-Highway program
About the Adopt-a-Highway program
The Adopt-a-Highway (AAH) program is an anti-litter and highway enhancement campaign intended to promote pride and ownership in keeping our state beautiful. This program allows individuals and groups to "adopt" a section of state highway by agreeing to take care of it for a two-year period. Volunteer groups may be clubs, employees of a business, or concerned citizens. All participants must be at least 15 years of age and in good health. In the expanded program, a private sponsor may hire a professional contractor to clean or enhance a section of highway in return for a sign with the business name and/or logo.
Volunteers or sponsored contractors perform roadside litter removal in an effort to:
- Keep the state clean
- Help save taxpayer money
- Remind people not to litter
Typically, an assigned section includes between two and four miles of roadside. We will install signs, giving recognition to the individual or group that has adopted that section of highway.
We also provide traffic control equipment, safety equipment, safety training, litterbags and disposal of filled bags for volunteer groups.
Adopt-a-Highway history
Washington's Adopt-a-Highway program started in 1990. In addition to this, many counties and cities have started their own Adopt-a-Road or Adopt-a-Street programs. Trails and beaches have also been included in other adoption programs. Please contact your county or city office for more information about those programs.
The first Adopt-a-Highway program began in Texas in 1985. Concerned citizens wanted to help clean up the littered highways. Since then, thousands of groups have volunteered their time and effort picking up litter on highways all over the country. Forty-nine of the 50 states in the U.S. have a program like Adopt-a-Highway.
Zero emission electric vehicle registrations in Washington
increased 192% between 2017 and 2021.
45 projects to improve freight rail structures and freight movement
were underway as of December 31, 2021.
Washington state leveraged $100,000 to secure $27 million
in funding for airport investments in Fiscal Year 2022.