District 11

Monday, Jan. 28, 2008

Contact: Public Information Officer Steve Saville Phone: (619) 688-6678

Safety Concerns Prompt Caltrans To Relocate Adopt-A-Highway Group

SAN DIEGO –The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) today announced its decision to relocate the San Diego Minutemen from its Adopt-A-Highway location on northbound Interstate 5 near the San Onofre Border Checkpoint to another location along State Route 52 in San Diego County.

“In consultation with our partners at the California Highway Patrol, the Department has concluded that the Minutemen’s participation in the Adopt-A-Highway Program at the current location poses a significant safety risk,” said Caltrans District Director Pedro Orso-Delgado. “The risk is in the potential for disruption to the operation of the state highway as well as public safety concerns for the traveling public and volunteers in the program.”

Orso-Delgado said a letter (attached) has been sent to the San Diego Minutemen outlining details of the decision, and also includes notice of a review into possible actions by the group that may violate guidelines for appropriate participation in the litter cleanup program.

“We have received information during the past couple of weeks that warrants a closer look at the San Diego Minutemen relative to the eligibility criteria for this program,” Orso-Delgado said. “The Department will pursue this review in an expeditious fashion.”

Under the Adopt-A-Highway eligibility criteria, entities that advocate violence, violation of law, or discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap, medical condition, marital status, age, sex or sexual orientation may not participate in the program.

Caltrans will rescind any permit for the Adopt-A-Highway Program upon confirmation that an organization does not meet eligibility criteria.

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