There are familiar signs of spring in North Carolina — birds singing, daffodils popping up everywhere — but there's also something unfamiliar going on that's making the views around here far less scenic.
WFDD listener Karen Mercer asks, “Why is there so much trash on the roads and byways of North Carolina?”
State Roadside Environmental Engineer David Harris says he's well aware of the problem, and the answer boils down to available resources. The North Carolina Department of Transportation took a huge hit with the high costs of road repairs following massive storms last year. Then came COVID-19 and the pandemic-related budget cuts.
“They were predicting a $700-million drop in revenue,” says Harris. “So, if someone told you that you were going to have a reduction in your salary by a significant amount, how many things would you put to a higher priority? Litter and roadside items