For the ninth consecutive year, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has been presented with the national Partner Award for its continued support of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania.

The Keep America Beautiful and the U.S. Department of Transportation Partner Award recognizes states for their support of litter-cleanup programs and emphasizes the importance of anti-litter programs through public/private partnerships.

“Keeping Pennsylvania beautiful is so important to our citizens and our communities, and that is obvious by the number of volunteers who get involved,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. “It’s a great cause that reduces roadside litter and illegal dumping, while reducing costs to do so.”