ITD recruiting North Idaho volunteers

Free coffee, a cleaner community and a safer highway is a trifecta the North Idaho region of the Idaho Transportation Department is banking on in calling for residents to get involved in its volunteer services programs. These services include litter pickup regionwide and the free coffee program at the Huetter Rest Area, located 8 miles into Kootenai County, between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene on Interstate 90.

“If you’ve ever wondered what you, your family or your business could do to help the community, this might be the answer,” said ITD’s Robin Karsann, the Adopt-a-Highway coordinator in the region.

“How about adopting a section of state highway for trash removal or volunteering for the Huetter Rest Area’s ‘Free Coffee’ program? Both programs are rewarding and keep our roadways safe for all to enjoy.”

There are approximately 117 miles of state highway in the region eligible and available for the Adopt-a-Highway litter removal program.

There are about 30 current volunteers in the Huetter free coffee program. Volunteers serve free coffee at the rest area to encourage the traveling public to stop, chat, stretch their legs, wake up, and get reinvigorated so drivers don’t fall asleep and cause an accident, hurting themselves or other travelers.

For more information on adopting a section of state highway for litter pickup or volunteering for Huetter’s “Free Coffee” program, please contact Karsann at (208) 772-8011, or robin.karsann@itd.idaho.gov. The information is also available on ITD’s website by going to the homepage at itd.idaho.gov, clicking on “Highways” and then “Volunteer Services.”

“Let’s keep Idaho green, clean, and safe,” Karsann said.

The Idaho Transportation Department is responsible for all highways on the State Highway System — interstates, state highways and U.S. routes. All other roads are under the jurisdiction of the local, city or county entity.