每日英語 #150: The Adopt-a-Highway Program 公路認養計劃

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The Adopt-a-Highway Program 公路認養計劃

The Adopt-a-Highway Program is a “partnership” (cooperation between two or more people or groups) program between state governments and private businesses and organizations. “Essentially” (basically), it is a way for businesses to “sponsor” (pay for or provide) the maintenance of a section of the highway. As of 2009, the program is available in 13 states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Washington State.

“公路認養計劃”是州政府與私營企業和組織之間的“合作計劃”。從本質上講，它是企業“贊助”（資助或提供）某段公路維護的一種方式。截至2009年，該計劃已在13個州實施：亞利桑那州、加利福尼亞州、康涅狄格州、科羅拉多州、馬里蘭州、馬薩諸塞州、密蘇里州、內華達州、新澤西州、紐約州、新罕布什爾州、羅得島州和華盛頓州。

An individual, an organization, or a business can be a sponsor and provide maintenance, which includes removing “litter” (trash), planting trees and flowers, and removing unwanted “graffiti” (writing and drawings). The sponsors can volunteer to do this work themselves or hire a maintenance service to do it for them.

個人、組織或企業可以成為贊助者並提供維護服務，這包括清理垃圾、種植樹木和花卉，以及清除不必要的塗鴉。贊助者可以自己志願參加這些工作，或者聘請維護服務公司代為完成。

In California, for example, over 15,000 miles of roads have been maintained using this program. Each sponsor is given a two-mile “stretch” (distance) and commits to five years.

例如，在加利福尼亞州，超過15000英里的公路通過此計劃得到維護。每個贊助者認領兩英里長的公路，承諾五年內負責維護。

The state saves money, but what do the organizations and business get out of it? “In return” (in exchange) for maintenance, the company gets their name on a sign that is “erected” (put up) on the side of the highway to honor someone or to get “publicity” (attention). Since most highways are “well-traveled” (with many people passing on it) and the signs are easily seen from the road, businesses get attention, and hopefully, “goodwill” (friendly attitude) for their sponsorship.

州政府可以省錢，但組織和企業會得到什麼呢？作為回報，公司的名字會被寫在公路旁立起的告示牌上，用來紀念某人或獲得宣傳。由於大多數高速公路上車流量大，而且標牌容易被路上的人看到，企業能得到曝光，並希望通過贊助獲得好評。

Although the companies get some benefit from participating in the form of advertising for their business, most people consider participation in the Adopt-a-Highway program to be “public-minded,” an unselfish action that benefits the general public.

儘管企業通過參加公路認養計劃獲得了一定的廣告效益，但大多數人認為這是一種利他的行為，有助於整個社會的公益事業。

重要單字

• 1. partnership /ˈpɑːrtnərʃɪp/ 合作
• 2. sponsor /ˈspɑːnsər/ 贊助
• 3. litter /ˈlɪtər/ 垃圾
• 4. graffiti /ɡrəˈfiːti/ 塗鴉
• 5. erect /ɪˈrɛkt/ 樹立
• 6. publicity /pʌbˈlɪsɪti/ 宣傳
• 7. goodwill /ɡʊdˈwɪl/ 好意