'Operation Clean Sweep' aims to clear trash from Maryland roads
There’s a major statewide effort to clear trash and large items dumped alongside Maryland highways.Maryland State Highway Administration crews are spanning the state’s highways to clear litter and debris and ensure cleanliness and safety as part of “Operation Clean Sweep Maryland.”The weeklong initiative heads into high travel holidays, like Labor Day.”We do pick up litter all the time as part of normal maintenance, as far as filling potholes and that sort of thing, but this is a deep clean all hands-on-deck effort,” SHA Deputy Communications Director Charlie Gischlar told 11 News.Hundreds of workers — consisting of inmates, contractors and SHA crews — are out in full force, including transportation engineer and technician Mark Black, who explained part of what the work entails: “Litter pick-up, potholes, tree and brush work, mowing grass, constant and regular maintenance on the roads.”They often find items like tires, packages, mattresses and appliances. Gischlar said the effort aims to beautify the state and keep roads and waterways safe.”Litter does affect drainage. It can impact inlets and the drainage systems themselves, and if something gets past our systems, it gets into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, but it’s also very expensive,” Gischlar told 11 News. Last year, the SHA spent $18 million on litter pickup, and collected and disposed of 306,369 bags of trash.While crews picked up debris, officials said it’s drivers that pose the biggest danger.”Just like being out there, trying to fill a pothole or something, cars don’t (want to) be patient, and (drivers) zip around other cars, almost hitting our trucks,” Black told 11 News. “We’ve had vehicles get hit before (while) trying to set out signs for traffic control. I’ve been here about 12 years, so I’ve seen a lot.”Black said crews experience close calls almost every day, and he asks drivers to pay attention and move over.”It’s like 10% of our operating budget to pick up this trash, and it’s almost becoming a losing battle at this point,” Black said.People can report litter and high grass to the SHA by calling 410-545-0300 or by submitting a service request at this website.
There’s a major statewide effort to clear trash and large items dumped alongside Maryland highways.
Maryland State Highway Administration crews are spanning the state’s highways to clear litter and debris and ensure cleanliness and safety as part of “Operation Clean Sweep Maryland.”
The weeklong initiative heads into high travel holidays, like Labor Day.
“We do pick up litter all the time as part of normal maintenance, as far as filling potholes and that sort of thing, but this is a deep clean all hands-on-deck effort,” SHA Deputy Communications Director Charlie Gischlar told 11 News.
Hundreds of workers — consisting of inmates, contractors and SHA crews — are out in full force, including transportation engineer and technician Mark Black, who explained part of what the work entails: “Litter pick-up, potholes, tree and brush work, mowing grass, constant and regular maintenance on the roads.”
They often find items like tires, packages, mattresses and appliances. Gischlar said the effort aims to beautify the state and keep roads and waterways safe.
“Litter does affect drainage. It can impact inlets and the drainage systems themselves, and if something gets past our systems, it gets into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, but it’s also very expensive,” Gischlar told 11 News.
Last year, the SHA spent $18 million on litter pickup, and collected and disposed of 306,369 bags of trash.
While crews picked up debris, officials said it’s drivers that pose the biggest danger.
WBAL
“Just like being out there, trying to fill a pothole or something, cars don’t (want to) be patient, and (drivers) zip around other cars, almost hitting our trucks,” Black told 11 News. “We’ve had vehicles get hit before (while) trying to set out signs for traffic control. I’ve been here about 12 years, so I’ve seen a lot.”
Black said crews experience close calls almost every day, and he asks drivers to pay attention and move over.
“It’s like 10% of our operating budget to pick up this trash, and it’s almost becoming a losing battle at this point,” Black said.
People can report litter and high grass to the SHA by calling 410-545-0300 or by submitting a service request at this website.
This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.