Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

From Staff Reports

TUSCALOOSA – The Alabama Department of Transportation is pleased to announce its inaugural Spring Clean Day was a success.

The event, which occurred April 14, was part of ALDOT’s ongoing efforts to promote cleaner and safer roadways. All eight districts within the West Central Region spent the day picking up litter on various routes.

The Maplesville District, which covers the counties of Bibb and Chilton, cleaned Highway 22 from milepost 51 to the Dallas County line.

ALDOT spent $7.34 million on litter cleanup throughout the state in fiscal year 2022, money which could be better used to improve safety and maintain roads and bridges.

“We urge citizens to consider the impact of their actions on the environment and to encourage others to do the same,” said Wallace McAdory III, West Central Region Engineer. “Litter can clog storm drains, pollute waterways and create unsafe driving conditions. The economic costs of cleaning up litter are substantial and can impact tourism, property values and community pride.”

ALDOT encourages all Alabamians to participate in this important initiative by organizing litter cleanup activities in their local communities. Whether it’s cleaning up a park or school yard, or simply properly disposing of litter, everyone can play a part.

According to the U.S. National Park Service, a tin can takes 50 years to decompose, while a plastic bottle takes 450 years to break down.

There are many ways for residents to keep Alabama beautiful:

• Dispose of trash properly.
• Never throw anything out of the vehicle window.
• Carry a small trash bag in the vehicle.
• Properly secure loads when hauling loose items.

ALDOT partners with Keep Alabama Beautiful, People Against a Littered State (PALS) and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to help keep Alabama litter-free. ALDOT’s West Central Region includes Bibb, Chilton, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marion, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston counties.