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Adopt-A-Highway

The Salt Lake County Public Works Department, Operations Division, will work with the adopting group to determine the specific section of roadway to be adopted. Certain interstate highways, divided highways and roadways where a lack of sufficiently wide right-of-way causes safety hazards will not be considered adoptable roadways.

Please review the Adopt-a-Highway Standard Operating Procedures before applying.

Links

General Procedure

Litter pick-up will be done only during daylight hours.

Litter pick up on the adopted sections shall be the sole responsibility of the adopting group except under unusual circumstances, i.e. to remove large, heavy or hazardous items.

Definitions

A contract entered into by Salt Lake county and the participants or group.

A form containing all pertinent participant information.

All participants shall be considered to be volunteers and are governed by Salt Lake County Ordinance No. 1181- Volunteer Programs & Services, which includes attending new hire orientation.

The forms may be obtained at the following location: Salt Lake County Public Works- Operations Division

Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator

(385) 468-6101

604 W 6960 S
Midvale, Utah 84047

  • 1.1 Highways eligible for adoption shall be in conformance with right-of-way width guidelines that have been established by the Operations Division of the Salt Lake County Public Works Department.
  • 1.2 Adopted sections of roadway shall be a minimum of one (1) mile or seven (7) blocks in length.

  • 2.1 Shall have one appointed group leader.
  • 2.2 Shall be required to adopt for a minimum of a two year period.
  • 2.3 Shall place filled trash bags at the edge of the shoulder of the adopted highway, as they become full, for pickup and disposal by the Division the next work day. Bags are to be tied. Torn bags are to be placed inside another bag and tied.
  • 2.4 Shall pick up litter a minimum of three (3) times a year. One of these times may be designated by the Division with thirty (30) days notice to the Group.
  • 2.5 Shall obtain required supplies and materials from the Division during regular business hours.
  • 2.6 Shall return unused materials and supplies furnished by the Division within one (1) week following clean up.
  • 2.7 Shall provide transportation which shall remain with the group until completion of the project.

  • 3.1 Shall be at least 11 years old. Adult supervision shall be provided for groups which include participants 15 years of age or younger at a ratio of one adult for every five children.
  • 3.2 Shall stay off traveled area of roadway.
  • 3.3 Shall attend a safety meeting conducted by the group leader before participating in a roadside pickup.
  • 3.4 Shall pick up all litter except large, heavy or hazardous items.
  • 3.5 Shall park all vehicles clear of roadway.
  • 3.6 Shall face oncoming traffic
  • 3.7 Shall not work in inclement weather
  • 3.8 Shall work only during daylight hours
  • 3.9 Shall avoid overexertion
  • 3.10 Shall wear light colored clothing and safety vest
  • 3.11 Shall wear heavy gloves
  • 3.12 Shall wear leather boots or shoes
  • 3.13 Shall wear a hat and long sleeves
  • 3.14 Shall not pickup or remove hazardous substances from site
  • 3.15 Shall avoid contact with noxious weeds and areas where herbicides have been applied (Visit our Noxious Weeds site for a list of noxious weeds, or contact our weed control division)
  • 3.16 Shall not pick up items on bridges, in tunnels, or on overpasses
  • 3.17 Shall stay well clear of any construction activities
  • 3.18 Shall not enter the roadway or shoulder
  • 3.19 Shall under no circumstances pick up litter off the highway medians
Noxious Weeds

Bees & Noxious Weeds Program

(385) 468-4035

  • 4.1 Place appropriate work zone safety signing.
  • 4.2 Erect a sign at each end of the adopted section with the name or acronym of the group.
  • 4.3 Remove filled trash bags the first work day after the pickup.
  • 4.4 Provide a first aid kit, orange vests, trash bags and safety literature prior to each pick up activity.
  • 4.5 Coordinate publicity efforts with the group to solicit local media coverage.
  • 4.6 Remove large, heavy or hazardous items that may be found on the roadway
  • 4.7 Shall provide safety instruction to group leader who in turn will instruct the entire group.
  • 4.8 Shall provide proper flagging and supervision if traveled area is to be crossed.

Adopt-a-Highway Form

Highway section(s) you are interested in adopting:

Agreement

If in the sole judgment of the Division, it is determined that the adopting Group is not meeting the terms and conditions of this policy, upon thirty (30) days notice the Department may terminate the adoption agreement and remove the signs. We certify that we have read, understood and abide by all of the forgoing provisions of this policy.

If in the sole judgment of the Division, it is determined that the adopting Group is not meeting the terms and conditions of this policy, upon thirty (30) days notice the Department may terminate the adoption agreement and remove the signs. We certify that we have read, understood and abide by all of the forgoing provisions of this policy.