Adopt a Highway: Outstanding volunteers improve SR 79 corridor

Central Arizona Florence Correctional Complex employees shared a few photos with us after a cleanup on their adopted State Route 79 segment near Florence. We couldn't help but notice their smiles-a condition found often in our volunteers. Check out the photos here.

Business Manager and Community Action Team Leader Troy Leeper granted my request for an interview with added encouragement for others to help keep our highways clean. His team chose this particular stretch because they wanted staff and other law enforcement to enjoy the scenery either coming to work or going home.

"Understandably we work in a lot of walls being a correctional facility," Leeper said, "Pinal County is our home for most. We take pride in our area, and it's our job to keep it better than we found it. The 79 highway is our lifeline to get to work. There are so many people that travel through here and we want to make sure we make a good impression on others."

The Outstanding Volunteer placard posted to the group's recognition sign says it all. Groups earn the title by cleaning adopted segments three or more times a year. Core Civic employees adopted the segment back in 2017. Since that time 158 company employees have filled more than 210 blue bags and reduced trash along two miles by 3,000 pounds. That figure does not include trash and other items too large for bags, that are blown from car windows and unsecured truck loads.

The vast laundry list of other found items that Leeper shared, includes: dash cameras, car magnets, flags, bench, car covers, mud flaps, phone chargers, outdoor solar light, key chains, toilet seat, unscratched lottery tickets (yikes!), cellphones, tire rims, chairs, puzzle box complete, tons of hats and clothes, blankets, car, truck, RV parts and much more.

When asked what advice he would have for potential Adopt a Highway Volunteers, Leeper said, "This program is important because sometimes we feel what we see. When you're driving along the road and see a clean and beautiful scenery it can affect your mood. This program is easy to do, maintain and can be with little effort. Enjoy a couple of hours of the great outdoors and have that feeling of accomplishment and say, "I did that." It's like coming into a clean home after work."

ADOT thanks Core Civic volunteers for seven years of dedicated service helping keep Arizona Grand near the town of Florence in Pinal County.

Arizona has hundreds of scenic miles available for adoption that could use some tidying up. If you are interested in finding a renewed feeling of accomplishment through volunteering please visit us at azdot.gov/adoptahighway.

Back To ADOT Blog