DPW: November 21, 2002

(Washington, DC) The DC Department of Public Works announces that weekly mechanical street cleaning operations will be suspended from January 6 to March 17, 2003. During this time, “No Parking/Street Cleaning” restrictions will also be lifted. Residents and visitors who park along posted, alternate-side street sweeping routes will not be required to move their cars on street-sweeping days during the sweeper hiatus. Further, no citations will be issued for the specific infraction of parking in a street-cleaning zone for those 10 weeks. Other parking restrictions, however, remain in effect and will be enforced, including those for rush hour, overtime parking in a residential zone, parking too close to a fire hydrant or bus stop, and expired inspection or registration stickers.

Street cleaning stops temporarily every year during January, February and the first half of March, traditionally the coldest months of the year. DPW officials explain that the large street-sweeping machinery spreads a thin layer of water under its rotating brushes throughout the cleaning operation. During sub-freezing weather, the water-cleaning method becomes impractical; creating hazardous driving conditions, and possibly impeding snow removal efforts.

The city will take advantage of any comparatively warm days during the winter to catch up on street cleaning. The sweepers will operate on an unscheduled basis, without parking restrictions, when weather conditions permit.