STV employees across multiple states recently participated in community cleanup events, removing litter and debris from both a highly-traffic roadway and beloved local trail.
Giving Back, Gaining Healing
STV’s Colorado Springs team spent an afternoon picking up litter from a two-mile stretch of U.S. 85. STV Engineering Specialist Erin Martinez, center in the left photo, was hit head-on by a drunk driver on U.S. 85 in 2019. Shortly after, her family adopted the stretch of highway on which she was hit.
“When my parents first adopted the section of U.S. 85 through the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Spruce Up Colorado program, it was about getting closure and giving back to the local people who helped support me through my crash,” Erin said. “Now it’s an activity that gives me and my family and friends an opportunity to heal and make a positive impact on the community. This was the first of four cleanup events scheduled for this year.”
As one of the nation’s top transportation design and engineering firms, STV innovates in the planning, design and construction management of highways and roadways. Our employees are passionate about creating safe and efficient ways to connect communities. This cleanup event was an opportunity for our employees to play a unique role in maintaining a roadway.
“Although we plan, design and construct transportation infrastructure every day, we don’t always think about what it takes to keep it clean,” said Zach Stone, PE, PTOE, STV Colorado area manager. “Thanks to the Martinez family and our STV team, this stretch of U.S. 85 is significantly cleaner than it was when we started. We are so fortunate to have Erin as part of our STV Colorado Springs family.”
Preserving the Pittsburgh Riverfront
To help preserve a cherished local outdoor space, STV’s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, team joined Friends of the Riverfront for its Trail Care Tuesday event. The organization’s mission is to build and maintain safe, clean and accessible riverfront trails in the Three Rivers Heritage Trail system, a 33-mile network of trails on both banks of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. The trails boast access to Pittsburgh neighborhoods, business districts and local attractions.
Alongside 15 other Trail Care Tuesday volunteers, STV employees removed enough debris and garbage from the Aspinwall segment of the Allegheny River Trail area to fill a dump truck.
“This was our first time volunteering with Friends of the Riverfront,” said Senior Engineer Joseph Garlicki, PE. “During our shift, we saw many pedestrians and bicyclists passing by on the trail. It is great knowing that STV helped keep the area clean and beautiful for those who use the trail.”
Read more about STV’s community engagement efforts.
