Utah has been in a growth mode for so many years that we have turned a blind eye to road maintenance. The results are blatantly evident on UDOT highways and major roads. Litter is strewn along I-15, much of which has been several years in the making. This neglect is not just unsightly — it can be dangerous. I’ve heard alarming reports of debris striking windshields and causing accidents.
Our state used to take pride in clean roads. So, what happened? A couple of years ago, I met with UDOT’s Salt Lake County maintenance chief to suggest improvements. Nothing changed. Later, I brought my concerns directly to UDOT Director Carlos M. Braceras. I learned that essential cleanup programs have been severely hampered or eliminated. For example, we used to have a robust program requiring inmates to clean the highways — curtailed in favor of teaching them marketable job skills. Utah also cut back “Adopt a Highway” because some sponsor name requests were deemed politically incorrect. The result? Neglect.
UDOT crews are overwhelmed and underfunded. They’ve got potholes to fill, roadkill to clear and the herculean task of snow removal each winter. Sweeping and litter cleanup are low on their list of priorities. Meanwhile, the top brass in the state Legislature and the governor’s office have largely turned a blind eye to this pressing issue. It’s ordinary residents who are sounding the alarm, like South Jordan resident Taylor Jensen with the Facebook page “DoBetterUtah,” which highlights the problems on our highways. It’s disheartening that it takes grassroots efforts to identify a problem that is so obvious.
Curious how other states handle this? I investigated Arizona, which boasts pristine roads. In 2023, Arizona crews picked up 619 tons of litter — 90,420 bags of trash! Utah’s numbers show just a fraction of what Arizona reports. When you compare Utah’s trash removal budget it reveals a meager $2 million expenditure compared to Arizona’s annual $13.4 million. That means that the Grand Canyon State outspends the Beehive State by nearly seven times! Arizona also follows strict schedules and programs to keep its highways immaculate. Utah? UDOT informed me that they do not keep a maintenance schedule but simply react to complaints.
With all this in mind, let’s talk solutions. I propose several steps to tackle the litter crisis in Utah. I urge the governor and transportation committees to enact these measures:
1. Quadruple UDOT’s litter cleanup budget. Our current $2 million isn’t cutting it. $8 million would still be well below the budget of Arizona. We don’t need to raise taxes — just reallocate some of the billions we already spend on transportation. One of the hundreds of scheduled projects can afford to wait a year.
2. Create dedicated maintenance crews. Split responsibilities by forming a new entity focused solely on litter cleanup, landscaping and weed control. Schedule regular maintenance for semi-annual weed whacking and clearing.
3. Invest in more street sweepers and mechanics. Gravel piles up where cars don’t drive and washes back onto the roads during storms, causing windshield rock chips and other hazards. Let’s fix this with a more robust street-sweeping fleet and truck mechanics.
4. Empower “Adopt a Highway” and inmate cleanup programs. Let Utahns help out in cleaning our roads. Give inmates a chance to contribute while paying their debt to society.
5. Enforce laws and issue citations. Encourage the Utah Highway Patrol to issue more citations to drivers with uncovered loads. Additionally, the Utah Legislature should increase fines for littering. Most cities have codes that prohibit weeds taller than 12 inches. Cities should issue citations to UDOT for letting their weeds grow out of control.
6. Learn from Arizona. Utah transportation leaders should visit Arizona to study how they keep their roads so clean. Tour their facilities, meet their crews and bring back best practices.
Utah is beautiful, but our highways have become an eyesore. The governor and the Legislature must do better, as they are the direct stewards of our roads. With the Olympics coming in 2034, the state of our roads reflects on all of us. Let’s take pride in where we live and start cleaning up now.
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