Pelican State News

Baton Rouge, La – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) continues its efforts to remove litter across the state, with "Love the Boot" week as a significant highlight of these ongoing activities. Partnering with Keep Louisiana Beautiful and other statewide entities, DOTD will be actively engaged in litter removal during the week of April 5-13.

DOTD Assistant Secretary of Operations Todd Donmyer states, "DOTD spends more than $13 million annually removing other people’s trash from state roadways. This is tax money that could be used to repave more than 100 miles of state roadways. Because litter is 100 percent preventable, it’s very frustrating to spend time and money picking up litter in a particular location and have litter quickly regenerate in the same location."

For the fiscal year 2024, DOTD's commitment approximates $13.6 million for litter removal, retrieving debris equivalent to over 18 Olympic swimming pools.

Aided by $3 million in additional funding from the state legislature, DOTD recently hired a contractor to clear litter from major travel routes. Beginning before the Super Bowl in New Orleans, crews removed nearly 900 cubic yards of trash. Efforts will focus on major interstates like I-10, I-12, I-20, I-110, and I-610 during the second phase, eventually expanding to populated rural routes by year's end.

DOTD urges residents to help keep Louisiana clean by properly disposing of waste and participating in local cleanups. Information on getting involved is available at www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org. Updates on DOTD activities can be followed on their Facebook, Instagram, and X platforms.