MoDOT stops Adopt-A-Highway program

MISSOURI (KBSI) – MoDOT is doing away with the Adopt A Highway program. The program began in 1987. Some people have participated in the program for decades.

They have ONLY stopped the Adopt-A-Highway program. All other litter programs they provide are still current.

Signs that have stood in memory of loved ones and businesses for years are now being removed and many people are upset.

Sarah Snider and her husband participated in the Adopt-A-Highway program for three years. Snider says their family would get together and do litter pickups as an act of service in her sons’ memory. Until a couple weeks ago, when Sarah noticed the sign that once held her sons name was gone. After some phone calls Sarah and her husband found out that the Missouri Department of Transportation was replacing the program and removing all signs that were part of the adopt-a –highway program.

Tammy Hefner is an Assistant Engineer with MoDOT and she explains why the program was stopped. 

“MoDOT just kind of looked at the program and have found that the cost and the safety risks just outweigh the program benefits.” 

The program is being replaced with the Keeping Missouri Beautiful Program. Under the new program communities can get together to do a once-a-year cleanup in an area of their choice after they have signed a litter safety form and as contracts expire MoDOT is removing the signs from the adopt a highway program. Under the new program the litter pickup is only once a year and there will be no signs posted. Hefner says adopters are welcome to keep their signs.

“Those adopters can coordinate with our district to pick up those signs, so we are going to allow the adopters to have their signs.” 

Family members like Sarah Snider say it’s more than just a sign.

“Its just driving by and idk it’s just a feeling I can’t even describe the feeling, but I just know it’s one more piece of remembrance for my son.” 

Snider shares her story,

“My husband and I adopted the highway in memory of our son Domonic who passed away in February of 2014 due to a head injury. He was also an organ donor, so he saved five lives with his passing.” 

Snider says the Adopt A Highway program was exactly how they wanted to honor Dominic. 

“We wanted to have a reason to keep his memory alive and to also better the community and the environment while doing so.” 

According to MoDOT people who have current contracts will be able finish out their term until that contract is up. With the last contracts to end in 2026.