BOWIE, Md. — A clean-up blitz is underway in Maryland, according to the State Highway Administration. Operation Clean Sweep Maryland is the state's annual effort to clear a winter's worth of litter and debris from state roadways.
Items observed by WUSA9 Tuesday included an abandoned jet ski, illegally dumped motor oil, loads of landscape debris, and metal light poles that were apparently abandoned after traffic incidents or failed repairs.
The SHA is urging drivers to slow down, pay attention and move over to help protect crews as they pick up litter along the state highways.
The Administration reported that Spring begins the need for mowing operations along state roadways and litter and debris cleanup is needed. Highway users are reminded to always put trash in proper receptacles and secure loads to prevent litter and debris from flying out of the back of trucks.
“Maryland communities deserve better, cleaner and greener neighborhoods,” said State Highway Administrator William Pines. “Our crews are taking steps to help ease the unprecedented statewide litter volumes, but we urge everyone to help us keep Maryland beautiful and pitch trash where it belongs – in a trash can.”
The SHA notes that picking up trash puts State Highway crews in danger as they work along state roads and next to traffic. The agency also reports that litter and debris impede mowing operations, impact highway drainage systems, and create potential highway hazards. Additionally, litter is harmful to Maryland’s wildlife and pollutes the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the SHA said in an announcement.
According to the SHA, the agency has spent more than $42 million removing litter and debris from state roadways in the past five years. In the 2023 fiscal year, 364,077 bags of trash were collected along state-maintained roadways at a cost of $15 million.
The spending is the equivalent cost of 45 new dump trucks or nearly 60 miles of resurfaced roads, according to the SHA.
Citizens can report issues of litter and high grass on state roads by clicking an SHA web link or calling 410-545-0300.
The SHA says it is investigating WUSA9's observations about apparently abandoned light poles.
Maryland State Police and regional county authorities did not immediately have information available on how often individuals are cited for littering, illegal dumping and operating trucks without covers to prevent items from falling off vehicles.
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