RALEIGH — Local businesses, organizations and individuals can now sponsor litter removal along sections of Interstate 95 by participating in a public-private partnership program aimed at providing cleaner and safer highways.
The Sponsor-A-Highway program enables businesses, organizations and individuals to sign contracts with either of two California companies to sponsor one-mile sections of Interstates 40 and 95 that run through North Carolina, said George Kapetanakis, program manager with the state Department of Transportation’s Beautification Office. In exchange for their sponsorship, the sponsor is acknowledged for their environmental stewardship on a Sponsor-A-Highway program sign.
The program is a self-sustaining business between the service providers — Adopt A Highway Maintenance Corp. of Santa Ana, Calif. and Adopt-A-Highway Litter Removal Service of America Inc. of Encinitas, Calif. — and the sponsors. The DOT is not involved with the individual contract arrangements, Kapetanakis said.
The new program, which was approved by the DOT last May, allows the DOT ensure more efficient litter pickup along two of the state’s major interstate corridors at no extra cost to taxpayers. The two private companies manage sponsored roadside litter removal along these highways.
“This program helps everyone out,” Kapetanakis said. “The sponsors get recognized for their stewardship of the environment and having the work done by private companies saves us (DOT) the time, effort and cost of removing litter.”
According to Kapetanakis, there are no sponsors yet for any one-mile sections of I-95. Existing sponsorship signs include 11 along I-40 in Wake and Durham counties.
“Wouldn’t it be great if the first sponsors along I-95 could be in Robeson County?” Kapetanakis said.
Kapetanakis called it a pilot program.
“If successful, more roadways will eventually be added,” he said.
More information about the Sponsor-A-Highway program, miles available for sponsorship and service provider contact information is available on the Office of Beautification website.
Reach staff writer Bob Shiles at 910-272-6117 or bshiles@heartlandpublications.com.
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