Spring cleaning isn’t just for your house

GARFIELD HEIGHTS (Tuesday, March 29, 2011) – The snow has melted, spring has arrived and it’s time to make downtown Cleveland shine.  During the week of March 28, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) maintenance crews from Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties will join forces to clean-up around downtown.

Each spring, ODOT maintenance crews shift their focus from ice and snow removal to cleaning and maintaining the local Interstates, State and U.S. Routes.  These spring cleaning efforts improve motorists’ safety by increasing visibility and eliminating driver distractions. 

On average, District 12 – Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties – spends close to $400,000 a year on litter pick-up – a preventable problem.  That money could be used to install 33 culverts, install 36 miles of guardrail or purchase three snowplow trucks. 

ODOT encourages community organizations to help clean-up litter by becoming an Adopt-A-Highway group.  Volunteers clean a two-mile section, or interchange, a minimum of four times a year for two years.  Groups wanting to adopt a section of highway or an interchange can apply at www.transportation.ohio.gov. 

ATTENTION MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA: Photo/Video Opportunity
Ohio Department of Transportation representatives will be available to speak about these clean-up efforts today, Tuesday, March 29, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. along I-90 eastbound between Chester Avenue and Lakeside Avenue.  For more information, please contact the District 12 communications office at 216.312.0295.

###

For more information contact:
The ODOT District 12 Communications Office at (216) 584-2005

or email D12.PublicInformation@dot.state.oh.us