Updated 6/24/2009 10:48:28 PM
ATLANTA -- Want specifics about how GDOT is handling recent budget cuts in this tough economy? Just take a drive on any of Metro Atlanta's interstates. The grass in the medians is at an all time high and the trash is really beginning to pile up.
Larry Corely commutes daily and has noticed it.
"The grass is like waist high along the interstate. It hasn't been cut in forever. I thought surely it would be cut," said Corely.
Georgia Department of Transportation spokesperson Crystal Paulk-Buchanan says it won't be. At least not for awhile.
"I know how distressing it can be for people to see the tall grass and the litter along the roadways, unfortunately it just costs a lot of money to pick that litter up -- $14 million on a regular year and we don't have the money to do that right now," said Paulk-Buchanan.
Likewise, she says eliminating just one cycle of mowing on the state's roadways saves an additional $11 million.
Because of safety concerns DOT crews will continue to cut the grass around signs or in line of sight areas and large trash like bumpers or sofas will be removed.
Next week the DOT is sending out a letter to local goverments that it is no longer picking up trash along rights-of-ways.
Paulk-Buchanan says it will increasingly be up to individual cities and volunteers to pitch in if they want area medians and roadsways to look nice. For example the Gwinnett CID (Community Improvment District) landscaped and maintains several exits off of I-85. Civic groups and communities participate in the Adopt-a-Highway program and help with upkeep on statewide stretches of road.
Additionally, Georgia DOT is cancelling custodial contracts at rest areas. Moving forward the rest areas will be cleaned and maintained by GDOT maintenance crews.
