A: Delaware's Adopt-A-Highway Program is a partnership between the Department of Transportation and volunteers. We work together to clean up Delaware's roadsides, two miles at a time. More than just a cleanup campaign, this program works to educate citizens of all ages about the responsibilities of land stewardship.
A: You should adopt a road to make your state and local community better. By participating in AAH, you can make at least one road cleaner, better looking, and healthier for everyone. Your sign will remind motorists not to litter, and will create a more secure environment for animals and plant life.
A: Any local community organization, such as civic, social or school groups, is eligible to participate, as are individuals 18 years or older. Participants must have an approved application on file with the Department of Transportation.
Group members under 15 years of age must be supervised by an adult 18 years or older. Individuals under 12 years of age will not be permitted to participate.
A: Participants will be required to adopt a road for two years. As long as DelDOT has the required two activity reports on file for the previous year, and the group is in good standing, ongoing participation is granted.
A: You are welcome to have a particular road in mind when initially contacting DelDOT. However, if the road is unavailable we will work with you to provide a suitable road nearby. Eligible roadways are selected by DelDOT based on availability. Downtown city streets, subdivision streets and the interstate system are ineligible for adoption.
A: You decide on the wording for your signs. The signs should reflect the name of the group, individuals or business that is conducting the cleanups. It can be 28 characters included spaces and punctuation. Logos, symbols or website addresses are not permitted on AAH signs. Two signs will be posted, one at each end of the two-mile stretch.
A: George Hollis In New Castle County can be reached at 302-326-4462 Sharon Thompson in Kent County can be reached at 302-760-2413 Dawn Evans in Sussex County can be reached at 302-853-1308.
A: You may obtain an application and submit it online or print it out, complete and return it to the Department of Transportation, Adopt-A-Highway Program Coordinator, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903. Or, you can call (in Delaware) 1-800-652-5600 or 302-760-2080, provide your address, and we will mail an application packet to you.
A: There is no fee to participate, however please understand that when you join the program, you are making a commitment. Due to the cost of producing and putting up the signs, we ask that you consider staying in the program for a minimum of two years.
A: Both sides of your two-mile section of highway should be cleaned at least twice per year. You are welcome to conduct more cleanups if it is necessary or desired. Litter pickup in the median is prohibited.
A: Please contact your local AAH district coordinator and inform them when you'd like to do your cleanup. Please provide at least one week's notice, and allow enough time for someone from your group to pick up the necessary supplies (bags, vests, etc).
A: Upon being informed of your scheduled cleanup, DelDOT will supply participants with safety information, plastic trash bags, safety vests and "Crews Working" signs. Rubber gloves are also available upon request. These materials should be picked up from the DelDOT district maintenance office during working hours one week before the cleanup.
A: Filled trash bags may be left under your AAH sign. The contact person for the group should notify DelDOT on the next business day to let us know that the trash needs to be picked up. You are welcome to dispose of the trash with your personal trash, but you will not be reimbursed for any personal disposal services.
A: Recycling trash is not mandatory. Participants are encouraged to separate and recycle appropriate materials for their benefit and to further help the environment. However, it is not a requirement of the program. If participants recycle the trash, they are entitled to keep the money for their group or personal benefit.
A: Groups are required to submit two activity reports per year during the course of the Adopt-A-Highway participation. One report must be completed after each cleanup and should include information such as the number of participants, hours spent cleaning the road, and the amount of litter collected. Failure to submit the requisite reports can result in dismissal from the program.
A: An activity report form is provided upon application approval with your welcome letter. Activity report forms can also be found online on the Adopt-A-Highway page of DelDOT’s website. They can also be picked up at our Administration Building in Dover on Route 113 or at any of our district offices.
A: Activity reports can be submitted online. They can also be printed and submitted to any one of the Adopt-A-Highway district coordinators at the district office, or by mailing to the Department of Transportation, Adopt-A-Highway Program, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903. They can also be faxed to the Adopt-A-Highway Program Coordinator at (302) 739-2092.
A: In its early years (1970-1980s), Delaware's AAH Program was called the Pitch-In Program, and it encouraged motorists to pitch their trash in designated barrels along Delaware's major routes.
As a more formal program evolved, Delaware looked to the successful "Don't Mess With Texas" anti-litter campaign, initiated by the Texas Department of Transportation in 1985. Delaware's AAH Program started on April 25, 1990.
Today the program boasts 800+ volunteers and we continue to make Delaware a better place to live and visit ... two miles at a time.
