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| What
is Adopt a Highway? |
Adopt
a Highway is a program initiated by the Ministry of
Transportation modeled on successful programs in neighboring
provinces and states. Adopting organizations receive
signage on highways acknowledging their efforts. These
efforts may include litter pickup, mowing and/or landscaping.
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Why
is the Ministry of Transportation initiating Adopt
a Highway? |
The
ministry is involved in this program to build community
pride and help beautify BC roadsides.
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Who
can participate? |
Virtually
any group or individual may participate. Volunteer
organizations or corporate interests need to fill
out applications first.
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Is
there a minimum age requirement for participants? |
All
participants must be at least 12 years old. Participants
between the ages of 12 and 18 must be supervised by
an adult 19 years or older.
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What
type of activities can be done? |
Specific
activities may include litter pickup, mowing, weeding
or landscaping.
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Who
can I talk to about the program in more detail? |
For
more information please contact your local
Ministry of Transportation district office. For a
list of specific contacts, please refer to the contact
link on the Adopt a Highway homepage.
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How
is the adoption location determined? |
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A suitable
location is determined through
discussion between the adoptee and the ministry. Adoptees are encouraged to
propose several options. Some
locations are better suited to certain activities
than others. The ministry's primary
concern is to safely match locations and groups depending
on their level of activity. Locations
are determined on a case-by-case basis.
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What
are some of the safety precautions? |
Safety
is the primary concern for the ministry to ensure
a successful program for all involved. For that reason,
the ministry provides safety vests and bags for those
working on roadways. Signage warning
traffic of volunteers will also be provided. Minimum
age requirements must be met.
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What
happens with full litter bags? |
After
picking up litter, participants are required to notify
the Ministry's road and bridge maintenance contractor
who will pickup the bagged litter. The appropriate
contact is provided by the ministry.
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What
are the minimum requirements to get a sign? |
At
minimum adoptees would have to pickup litter four
times a year on a 2 km stretch of highway.
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What do signs look like? |
The signage has two parts: the first is the top part of the sign which is standardized with the ministry's Adopt a Highway logo with the minimum dimensions of 60 cm by 90 cm (high). Beneath is a panel for the adoptees' name. This second part is 60 cm by 30 cm (high). |
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Who pays for the sign? |
The top part of the sign is paid for by the ministry. Bottom panels, with customized logos, are paid for by the adopting organization.
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What
roads or interchanges are available for adoption? |
Locations
that already have signage are not available. Most areas on provincially
numbered routes are potentially available. Some locations
may not be safe or may fall under municipal right-of-way,
making them unavailable for this program. In unincorporated
areas, where there is no municipal government, regular
residential roads may also be available for adoption.
Contact your local Ministry of Transportation district
office and ask if the area(s) in question is available
to adopt.
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If
I want to landscape an interchange, who creates a
plan? |
As
the sponsor of a landscape area, the organization
can design landscape plans itself and have them approved by the ministry or the ministry
can have designs created and implemented on behalf
of the sponsor.
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Who
pays for the initial planting and subsequent maintenance
of adopted landscapes? |
The
landscape sponsor pays for both the initial planting
and the subsequent maintenance of the landscape.
In some cases, the planting is already there and does
not need to be replaced, so the adoptee would only
be sponsoring maintenance.
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What
is the minimum length of road that can be adopted? |
Generally,
the rule of thumb is 2 km as a minimum. This does
not apply to landscapes.
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What
is the minimum time commitment to the program? |
Two
years is the minimum time commitment with the right
of first refusal on any given landscape, or adoption
area.
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Are
there insurance requirements? |
Yes there are insurance requirements. The requirements vary between organizations and individual applicants. For more details please consult the Adopt a Highway website: Insurance Specifications Guidelines. Essentially, volunteers and organizations are required to have General Liability Insurance of $2 Million. Organizations require Insurance of $5 Million if mowing is undertaken. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure may provide General Liability Insurance of $2 Million to individuals who sign-up for the program and complete a Volunteer Waiver, but mowing cannot be undertaken by these individuals.
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Do
volunteers have to sign waivers? |
Yes,
all volunteers must sign waivers. For those under
the age of majority, waivers must be signed by parents or
legal guardians.Volunteer Waiver and Acknowledgement of Risk Form |
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What
is the benefit to participating organizations? |
Organizations
that choose to participate receive many benefits both
tangible and intangible. Tangible benefits include
making a difference to the aesthetic appearance of
provincial roadsides and consequently communities.
Groups receive public recognition through signage
provided by the ministry for their efforts. Intangible
benefits include community goodwill and general pride
from making a noticeable contribution.
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Do
participants receive training prior to going on the
Highway? |
Absolutely,
the safety supervisor receives thorough training from a ministry
representative. The supervisor then relays information
using a training guide and video provided by the ministry
to those volunteering on the highway. Everybody must
receive the training prior to participating. The safety
checklist, provided by the ministry, should be reviewed
each time, by every volunteer prior to conducting
activities on the adopted section of highway. Safety Supervisor Briefing and Checklist
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Who
needs to fill out an application form? |
Each
group that is seeking to participate needs to fill
out an application form. Application forms can be
found on the Adopt a Highway homepage. Application
forms should then be sent by fax to the appropriate
district office. District office contact information
can also be found on the Adopt a Highway homepage. Volunteer Application Form
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