Dutchess County Celebrates Earth Day with Highway Clean Ups

Poughkeepsie… With Earth Day approaching on April 22nd, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has announced the Dutchess County Department of Public Works (DPW) Highway Division will be devoting several days to highway cleanup efforts on major roadways as part of ongoing efforts to maintain the county roadway system. Starting today (Wednesday, April 20th ) to Friday, April 23rd, DPW Highway crews will be focused on litter clean up on some of the county’s most highly trafficked roadways. Several local municipalities including Milan, Pleasant Valley and Rhinebeck are also joining in the effort and will have crews cleaning up town roadways.

County Executive Molinaro said, “Our DPW Highway crews work diligently to ensure our county roadways are well maintained and safe for residents and visitors alike. It is a shame that far too often the beauty of Dutchess County is marred by litter along our roadways. We are devoting resources for a massive county roadway cleanup and hope residents will follow our lead in keeping Dutchess clean and beautiful. This year, we encourage all residents to celebrate Earth Day by taking part in roadway clean ups and resolving not to litter. Together, we can keep Dutchess County clean and green.”

Some of the county roads scheduled for the three day clean up include:

• Old Hopewell Road (CR 28) in Wappinger/East Fishkill
• Myers Corners Road (CR 93) in Wappinger
• Beekman Road (CR 9 ) in Beekman/East Fishkill
• Innis Avenue (CR 75) in Poughkeepsie
• Van Wagner Road (CR 38) in Poughkeepsie
• Crum Elbow Road/West Market Street (CR 41) in Hyde Park
• River Road (CR 103) in Rhinebeck
• Linden Avenue (CR 79) in Red Hook
• North Main Street (CR 83A) in Pine Plains
• Rudd Pond Road (CR 62) in Northeast
• South Maple (CR 81) in Amenia
• County House Road (CR 97) in Millbrook
• Clinton Hollow Road/ Centre Road (CR 18) in Clinton
• Dutcher Avenue (CR 69) in Pawling

Organizations and residents who are interested in helping keep Dutchess County’s roadways clean and beautiful can participate in the County’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Several local organizations including the Hyde Park Teachers’ Association and the Hunns Lake Association currently participate in the program. New organizations are encouraged to apply by calling 486-2928. The New York State Department of Transportation and several local municipalities also offer Adopt-A-Road programs for state and local roadways.

“Keeping roadways clean is a community effort. We are grateful to the organizations who donate their time to help clean up our roadways to keep Dutchess looking beautiful and remind all motorists to properly dispose of litter, not toss it out a vehicle window,” said Dutchess County Commissioner of Public Works Noel Knille.