Operation Clean Sweep returns to North Idaho for second year

Litter is frustrating. Ask anyone who drives U.S. Highway 95 in the spring, and they’ll tell you the trash that emerges after the snow melts is hard to ignore. Ask the crews at the Idaho Transportation Department, and they’ll tell you it’s more than an eyesore. It’s a drain on time and resources that could be spent elsewhere.

“It’s frustrating to have to pull our crews off their regular maintenance work to deal with trash dumped by people who just don’t care,” Foreman Supervisor Nick Primmer said. “Unfortunately, it’s become a routine part of spring. Once the snow melts, the amount of litter we uncover is pretty overwhelming.” That frustration is exactly what inspired Operation Clean Sweep in 2025, and why ITD is bringing it back for a second year.

On Wednesday, March 25, ITD is inviting community members to join the effort and help clean up the US-95 corridor from Granite Hill to Interstate 90. The event is a chance for the public to work alongside ITD crews, pick up trash, and be part of the solution. Last year’s two-day event yielded 376 bags, totaling over 13,000 pounds of trash and debris.

Keeping highways clean isn’t just about appearances. Roadside litter poses real risks to wildlife, to the environment, and to the maintenance workers who have to manage it. Every hour an ITD crew spends collecting trash is an hour not spent on safety improvements, pothole repairs, or the maintenance work that keeps North Idaho’s roads in good condition.

“We thought it would be a great opportunity to let the public get involved, to work alongside the hardworking men and women of ITD and make a real, visible difference,” Primmer said. “It takes all of us.”

Volunteers aged 16 and older are welcome to participate. Check-in runs from 7 to 9 a.m. at ITD’s shed located at 6303 E. Parks Road in Athol, where participants will receive safety gear, a brief orientation, and crew assignments. Volunteers can stay as long as they’d like, whether that’s a couple of hours or the full day. Work will wrap up by 4 p.m. ITD will provide safety vests, trash bags, and safety instructions. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring gloves and water. This event is also a great fit for students or anyone needing to log community service hours, as ITD staff will be available on-site to verify hours.

Volunteers interested in making a longer-term commitment are encouraged to ask about ITD’s Adopt a Highway program, which allows individuals and groups to take ownership of a stretch of roadway and help keep it clean year-round.

Registration is required to participate, and can be completed online. Volunteers aged 16 and 17 must have a signed parental waiver to participate which can be found in the ‘Agenda’ section of the online registration page.