Operation Clean Sweep returns to Highway 95 for second year

ATHOL — Dozens of volunteers gathered early Wednesday to tackle months of accumulated roadside litter along Highway 95, collecting hundreds of bags of trash during the second annual Operation Clean Sweep event.

The community cleanup addressed a persistent problem that emerges each spring as melting snow reveals debris that has built up along one of Idaho’s busiest travel corridors during the winter months.

“Spring is always a difficult time of year just because we can’t really get out there and effectively pick up trash over the winter months. So things just build up,” said Heather McDaniel, Public Information Officer for the Idaho Transportation Department.

Volunteers met between 7 and 9 a.m. Wednesday morning at the ITD shed on Parks Road, before spreading out along the highway to clean sections from Granite Hill to Interstate 90. The organized effort represents the second year of Operation Clean Sweep, which ITD launched in response to community interest and the overwhelming litter problem the agency deals with.

For many participants, the motivation stems from pride in their community and state.

“We are from Northern Idaho, we love our state, and we want to make it good,” said Jim Clamp, a volunteer who participated in Wednesday’s cleanup.

McDaniel said the department appreciates the community’s support, which enables staff to prioritize safety improvements and infrastructure maintenance.

“Drawing our crews off those operations to come and deal with the trash cleanup is something that we do. But we would much rather have our people out there doing those more important jobs,” McDaniel said.

ITD crews also participated in Wednesday’s event, working alongside community volunteers to maximize the cleanup effort.

For people who missed Wednesday’s event but want to contribute to ongoing cleanup efforts, ITD offers the Adopt a Highway program. The program allows individuals and groups to take responsibility for regular maintenance of specific highway sections throughout the year.

You can learn more about it here.