Volunteers recruited for Outer Ring Road cleanup

A usually messy section of the Trans-CanadaHighway in St. John's is about to get a good cleaning.

The sides and median of the busy Outer Ring Road are known to be messy with litter and other large items.

On Sunday, June 11, the provincial government will close 20 kilometres of the four-lane divided highway from Kenmount Road interchange (knownas the Donovansramp if heading east)to the Logy Bay Road interchange from8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to allow for a safe cleanup.

Partners in the cleanup are the Department of Transportation and Works, the City of St. John's, Clean St. John's, Metrobus, and Eastern Waste Management.

Volunteers wanted:must register

The public is invited to help too.

Individuals or groups who would like to help must sign up in advance and children under 15 must be under adult supervision.

Volunteers taking part in the cleanup will be bused to their assigned areas from Confederation Building, West Block.

Those wishing to help are also reminded to wear long-sleeved shirts, pants and appropriate, outdoor footwearfor their own safety and protection.

Notices for drivers

The province said electronic signs will be posted on the ring road to provide advance notice to peole who regularly use the highway.

During the cleanup, barricades will be set up, blocking access at the following entry points.

• Logy Bay Road
• Torbay Road
• Portugal Cove Road
• Allandale Road
• Team Gushue Highway
• Thorburn Road
• Kenmount Road

"Individuals and organizations have expressed an interest in conducting a cleanup of the Outer Ring Road and we are pleased to be able to coordinate a community-focused effort this year,"Transportation and Works MinisterAl Hawkins said in a news release Friday.

"A large number of volunteers will be required to make this event a success and we encourage everyone to sign up and volunteer on June 11," he added.