Shreveport’s Battle Against Highway Litter – What You Need to Know

SHREVEPORT, LA - Shreveport city leaders are calling on all parties to help clean up litter along interstates in the community.

Officials from the Department of Transportation and Development stepped up before the City Council to explain who is responsible for cleaning up the trash.

Who Is Responsible for Picking up Trash and Mowing on Which Roadways?

The City of Shreveport has a contract with the state to mow and clean up trash on 3132, I-20 and I-49 city.

On I-220, the state has a contract with a private company to pick up trash and mow along the highway. On I-220, the state pays about $4,000 for each litter pick up cycle and about $12,000 dollars for each mowing cycle. The contract currently calls for 6 mows each year.

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In early March the first mowing cycle will happen along I-220. Crews will first pick up litter before mowing the grass along the highway.

For large items that might get tossed out like tires, mattresses and other debris, the public can call DOTD at 549-8300 and crews will come out and pick up those items.

How Much Is Shreveport Paid by the State to Pick up Trash and Mow?

Shreveport picks up trash each week along I-20, 3132 and I-49. The city has a contractor taking care of this cleanup. A contractor is also hired to handling the mowing along these highways.

The state of Louisiana pays the city about $250,000 a year to mow I-49, I-20 and 3132 inside the city limits, but city officials have told KEEL News in the past this actually costs more than $300,000. The goal is to mow along these highways every 2 weeks.