ALDOT celebrates 4th annual Spring Clean

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -

Press Release: The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) celebrated its fourth annual Spring Clean on Friday, April 17, as crews across the West Central Region worked together to clear litter from Alabama’s roadways.

All eight districts within the region participated, collecting litter along state highways as part of a coordinated effort to improve roadway conditions and promote community pride.

The Livingston District, which serves Sumter County and the southern half of Greene County, picked up litter on US-11.

The initiative reflects ALDOT’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness about the impact of littering and the financial burden it places on the state. ALDOT spent $9.67 million on litter cleanup in fiscal year 2025. Those funds could have been used to maintain and improve roads and bridges.

“We take pride in the communities we serve, and that includes keeping our roadways clean,” said Lyndi Blackburn, West Central Region Assistant Engineer. “Efforts like this help protect the environment, and it’s only through everyone’s help that we can truly make a difference.”

ALDOT encourages residents to do their part to keep Alabama litter-free by organizing or joining local cleanups, properly disposing of trash and setting a positive example for others.

According to the U.S. National Park Service, a plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to decompose, underscoring the long-term impact of littering. Simple steps to prevent litter:

• Dispose of trash properly

• Never throw anything out of a vehicle window

• Carry a small trash bag in the vehicle

• Properly secure loads when hauling loose items

ALDOT partners with Keep Alabama Beautiful, People Against a Littered State (PALS) and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to support cleanup efforts and raise awareness across the state. The West Central Region includes Bibb, Chilton, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marion, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston counties.

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