Title
Staff Report: MoDOT Sponsor-a-Highway Program Information
Body
Issue/Request:
Staff Report: MoDOT Sponsor-a-Highway Program Information
Key Issues:
- During the Clean Team Annual Update to City Council, City Council requested additional information regarding the MoDOT Sponsor-A-Highway Program.
- The City, as any other business, organization or individual, may participate in the MoDOT Sponsor-A-Highway Program.
- All MoDOT highways, interstates, and interchanges within Lee's Summit are available, with exception of I-470, which is already contracted by MoDOT for litter management.
- As an example of participation cost, if the City were to sponsor US50 Highway from I-470 to M291 Highway (North Junction) and associated interchange ramps, the annual cost quoted for monthly litter clean-up would be $43,000.
- The clean up of litter on sponsored highway sections is done by a MoDOT approved maintenance provider (i.e. contractor) in accordance with DOT requirements and contracted conditions.
- The contractor provides all resources and trash removal/disposal.
- The contractor also provides activity performance reports to the sponsor.
- The contractor would provide sponsor signing, though not required, and can assist with public education initiatives to address littering in the community.
Background:
Information regarding the Sponsor-A-Highway Program is available at: https://www.modot.org/sponsor-highway
The MO Department of Transportation (DOT) determines the required cleaning frequency on highways. The contractor would provide 100% of the litter removal on behalf of the sponsor (i.e. applicant) per DOT requirements for safety reasons. MoDOT does not allow volunteers on major highways for safety and insurance reasons. The City, and any other business, organization or individual, may apply to participate in the program. To date, there are no sponsors or applicants in Lee's Summit. MoDOT has contracted litter clean-up along I470 through Lee's Summit. So I470 is not an applicable highway route for application, but all other MoDOT highways, interchanges and routes are available.
This MoDOT program offers great public relations, demonstrates civic pride and corporate environmental responsibility while improving the aesthetics and safety of communities through .
Sponsor signing is available from the contractor/MoDOT for program participants. The organization, group or company name and logo would be viewed by thousands of cars on a daily basis reflecting the investment in the community as well as helping the environment. It is also a great opportunity to capture public or customer attention by displaying signs in the areas of high commuter traffic.
The City has solicited a program participation cost quote for discussion purposes. Quotes can be obtained by contacting the contractor through the program website noted above. The quote provided to the City is discounted for the City and less than would be available to business applicants. The quote is for the section of US50 Highway from I470 to M291 Highway (North Junction), including all interchange ramp areas; an estimated 11 miles of highway to clean. The total estimated annual cost for cleaning this highway section on behalf of the City as a sponsor once per month is $43,000.
There are references for sponsorship in other communities in Missouri and other states as well. This is a national program that MoDOT has engaged. For example, the same contractor cleans for the City of Shawnee, Kansas, as a City sponsor for highway litter clean-up.
Impact/Analysis:
To reduce litter on the state highway system. Supports the City's strategic plan (Ignite!) and the City Council Priority Goal - Beautification.
Timeline:
Sponsorship can be started and terminated at any time.
Presenter
Michael Park, Director of Public Works