It was a messy job Tuesday morning when PennDOT contractors fanned out to cleanup up Blue Route trash in Haverford Township, reports Madeline Wright for CBS News Philadelphia.
An area resident said the trash is hard to miss along 476.
“It’s not right to throw things on the ground. It’s just a disgrace,” said Denise Calvi.
The collection that morning included food and beverage containers, tires, even couches tossed to the side of the highway.
State Rep. Lisa Barowski has recently received about 35 calls and emails from people complaining about the Blue Route trash.
“Anytime you have one of our state roads that looks unsightly and full of trash, it only encourages more trash to be dumped,” she said.
There is a $300 fine for littering but it’s hard to catch people in the act. So far this year, only one person has been cited for littering on the Blue Route.
PennDOT spent $6.3 million on litter removal in southeastern Pennsylvania last year. It has trouble keeping up because it is short-staffed.
Calvi has advice for those who are littering.
“Just take it home and you throw it in your trash can,” she suggested.
Learn more about an ongoing Blue Route trash problem at CBS News Philadelphia.
