The Michigan Department of Transportation announced on April 6 that the first Adopt-A-Highway litter pickup for the year will take place from April 11 to 19 across the southern part of the Lower Peninsula. The northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula will hold their initial cleanup from May 9 to 17.
These annual cleanups are part of a statewide effort to maintain roadsides and encourage community involvement. The program allows groups to adopt sections of highway, helping keep public spaces clean while promoting safety and environmental stewardship.
“Our Adopt-A-Highway volunteers show their dedication to their communities each year by keeping the roadsides clean,” said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “These groups make a huge difference every year. Please help them stay safe while they’re out there. Please be alert for the volunteers and drive cautiously during the pickup periods.”
Volunteers collect litter three times annually, with additional pickups scheduled for July and September this year. As reported last year, about 2,600 groups have adopted more than 6,000 miles of state highway through this program, with an estimated 19,000 participants gathering nearly 40,000 bags of trash during three collection periods in 2025.
Sections remain available for adoption throughout Michigan, and a new interactive map on the Adopt-A-Highway website shows which stretches can still be claimed. Groups are asked to commit for at least two years; participation is free and recognized with signage along adopted segments.
According to the official website, the Michigan Department of Transportation manages nearly 10,000 miles of state highways as well as bridges, trails, railroads, airports and other infrastructure across seven regions statewide.The department employs more than 2,800 people who oversee transportation services from multiple centers around Michigan.Its mission focuses on serving people and communities through transportation, led by a director alongside chief administrative officers.MDOT maintains M-, I-, and US-designated routes, ensuring bridge safety standards along with oversight over public transit programs.Operations extend statewide over nearly ten thousand miles encompassing all related transport infrastructure.
AAH group members must be at least twelve years old; each group needs at least three participants who wear high-visibility vests provided by MDOT while working near roadways.
