DEPARTMENT BEGINS POSTING NOTICES OF ILLEGAL RECEPTACLES

    LITTLE ROCK (6-2) 

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) recently began posting notices on illegally placed trash receptacles, according to AHTD Director Dan Flowers. The notices remind residents that, except for mailboxes, it is unlawful to maintain permanent structures on state highway rights of way.

“The notices are necessary due to increasing numbers of homemade, permanent roadside trash receptacles across all areas of the state,” according to Flowers. “Not only are many of these receptacles unsightly and a lot of the trash is making its way onto the highways, but the bottom line is they are illegally placed on highway right of way. The simple solution is to have owners comply with established laws.”

Flowers added that many of the offenders may not realize that it is against the law. Owners contract with local vendors for trash removal and may not be aware of the safety and maintenance issues involved. Highway officials have recently tried to spread the word to trash pick up vendors, county administrators and homeowners that the trash bins need to be removed from the highway right of way.

            The notices inform residents that the AHTD will allow 30 days from that date to comply before the structure is removed. A telephone number for that area’s Maintenance Supervisor is on each notice and residents are urged to call if they have questions or concerns.

            The AHTD spends approximately $5 million per year on expenses related to litter pick up and coordinates several anti-litter activities, including the Adopt-A-Highway Program, the Jail Inmate Litter Pick-up Program, the Parolee Litter Pick-up Program and the Litter Hot Line reporting system.

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