5th Bridge has adopted three sections of highway, through the Adopt A Highway Program, on behalf of 5th Bridge volunteers. This way, groups of volunteers (as few as 4 and as many as 20) can participate in highway clean-up without making a tri-annual, multi-year commitment.

Highway clean-up is a great volunteer project for groups of many sizes, who care about the environment, and who are looking for an outdoor volunteer opportunity that is very flexible, with regard to date and time. All the sections are located in southern Dakota County on the north end of Northfield. Safety vests, gloves, garbage bags, and a safety video will be provided.


View Group Highway Cleanup in a larger map

Section 1 – Hwy 96 (320th St. W.) from the intersection where Cedar (Foliage/23) jogs and heads north again, for two miles heading west until Holyoak Avenue. This is a fairly kid friendly stretch of country dirt road with little to moderate traffic. There are several places to park along the way. Volunteers are responsible for both sides of the road.

Section 2 – Hwy 47 (Northfield Boulevard) from Hwy 3 extending 2 miles northeast until Cannon River Boulevard (County Road 94), right by Taylor Trucking Company. This is a fairly busy stretch of road with lots of truck traffic and is not recommended for younger children. Parking is limited, there is a closed off access driveway on the south side close to Hwy 3 and we have obtained permission from Taylor Trucking for volunteers to park in the grass by their sign. Volunteers are responsible for both sides of the road.

Section 3 – County Road 94 (Cannon River Boulevard) from Hwy 47 (Northfield Boulevard) near Taylor Trucking to Alta Avenue. This is a very kid friendly stretch of country dirt road with little traffic. There are lots of places to park at both ends, in the middle and along the way. This stretch seems like it’s longer than 2miles, but it’s not. Volunteers are responsible for both sides of the road.

Availability

Spring Summer Fall
Section 1 Completed Available Available
Section 2 Completed Available Available
Section 3 Completed Available Available

 
Thank you to the Spring Volunteers:

  • United Methodist Church Youth
  • St. Dominic Church Youth
  • Target Employees

Participation is simple …

Prior to your event

  • Reserve a Highway section for seasonal clean-up (Spring/Summer/Fall) by contacting us.
  • Set a date/time and communicate with your group (tip: set an “in case of rain” date as well). Advise participants to wear old clothes, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and to bring a water bottle.
  • Pick up safety vests, gloves, garbage bags, and safety video from 5th Bridge.
  • Figure out the logistics: Where will the group meet? How many vehicles will you need? Where will you drop off and pick up? Where will the vehicles park?

Day of the Event

  • Meet at the agreed upon location, view the safety video/review safety guidelines.
  • Distribute safety vests, gloves and trash bags to your participants. Don’t forget your camera!
  • Drop off your volunteers. Smaller groups could leave a vehicle(s) at one end then drive to the opposite end and park the remaining vehicle(s). Volunteers would then clean both sides of the highway walking towards the first vehicle(s). Then drive to pick up the remaining vehicle(s) when you are finished. Larger groups should divide into four groups and either start at the center working towards the ends on both sides of the highway or drop off two groups at each end (one for each side of the highway) and work towards the center.
  • Leave the filled garbage bags/trash debris along the side of the road for pick up.
  • Pick up your volunteers and gather the vests, gloves and unused trash bags.
  • Don’t forget to take lots of pictures!
  • Thank you volunteers! You did a great service for the environment and your community!

After your Event

  • Contact us as soon as you are done, so we can arrange for the trash that your group collected to be picked up.
  • Return the vests, gloves, unused garbage bags, and safety video to 5th Bridge.
  • Send your pictures to 5th Bridge so we can celebrate your good service to the community.

Additional Information