During the late 1980s, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)
re-assesed its priorities to best allocate limited resources. DOT's first
priority was then - and is now - to operate the state's highways and bridges
safely and cost-effectively; for example, to resolve safety issues, to maintain
pavement and guide rail, or to control ice and snow. As a result, fewer
resources were available for roadside beautification.
Legislation to formalize New York State's Adopt-A-Highway Program was passed in
1990 to encourage individuals or groups to clean up highway roadsides and to
recognize those volunteers who do. Participation in the program also fosters a
sense of community ownership of the roadway as well as a sense of pride in its
appearance.
Today, all 50 states have some type of a sponsor-a-highway or adopt-a-highway
program in place because there is a very real human need for aesthetically
pleasing roadsides in spite of the reality that highway beautification simply
cannot compete on an even level with highway safety for ever-diminishing public
funds
|
