With the help of a $1.1 billion statewide highway beautification initiative, Orange County transportation officials have begun hiring maintenance crews, kicked off litter pickup efforts and plan to soon launch several projects to clean up and make attractive blighted areas on and near freeways.

At a pull-off along the 91 Freeway on Friday, Feb. 11, state and local elected officials, Caltrans leaders and some maintenance workers snatched up cigarette butts and bits of discarded paper and plastic in the dirt and grass. The litter pickup celebrated the launch of Clean California in Orange County.

Announced last year, Clean California earmarked funding to clean up and beautify state and local roads over the next three years through trash clearing and art and landscaping projects, all the while creating jobs, officials said.

Before donning a hard hat and bright yellow vest, Sen. Dave Min, D-Irvine, called the program during a news conference “one of the most comprehensive cleanup strategies enacted in our state’s history.”

“The concept of beautification and trash removal is much more than simply getting rid of eyesores or investing in visually pleasing projects,” he said. “Beautification is about the health of our neighborhoods, pride in our communities and ensuring that all of our communities can take pride that they receive their fair share from the state when it comes to maintaining our local infrastructure.”

Statewide, Clean California is expected to add 11,000 jobs during its lifespan, about 350 of which will be in Orange County. So far, the district has hired two crews of maintenance employees totaling 28 workers, said Eric Corona, OC’s Clean California program manager.

When Caltrans begins implementing projects with the help of Clean California money, it’ll need to hire even more roles such as contractors and engineers, he said.

Also, of the $1.1 billion, $296 million is dedicated toward grants for local public agencies and tribal governments for additional projects.

Projects, which need to incorporate trash reduction and beautification, are eligible for up to $5 million of Clean California money. The amount awarded will be based on how much the local community is disadvantaged.

The deadline to submit applications for the local grants was Feb. 1 – agencies in Orange County submitted proposals – and winners will be announced March 1.

Ryan Chamberlain, Caltrans District 12 director, said he was “excited to see the proposals that are coming from local municipalities” and to work with them to bring beautification projects to the county. He said Caltrans “will incorporate sustainable landscapes and facilitate beautification projects in the communities that need it most.”

But several projects planned along state highways in Orange County could take shape soon, Corona said. With Clean California funds earmarked for state beautification projects, 12 sites around the county will get upgrades including more trees, mulching and installation of decorative trees or paving in some areas.

Litter cleanup is also starting to ramp up with the help of money from the program. Caltrans statewide is also incentivizing people or businesses to participate in its Adopt-A-Highway program, offering $250 a month to those who organize cleanup projects. The agency also plans to add more crews for a court referral program that focuses on highway cleanup.

Since Clean California launched in July, about 13,000 cubic yards of trash has been picked up along roadways in Orange County, totaling 219 tons, Corona said.

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