(WASHINGTON, DC) The Department of Public Works announced today that residential mechanical street sweeping starts Wednesday, March 1. To ensure streets are swept thoroughly, motorists are asked to obey the signs posted with the days of the week and hours of the day when parking restrictions will be enforced. The fine for violating this restriction is $45. Signs posted along street sweeping routes indicate that the program runs from March 1 through October 31.
“The District’s residential street sweeping program is an important tool used to keep the District clean,” said DPW Director Christopher J. Shorter. “Last year, our sweepers collected more than 2,000 tons of litter and pollutants as they traveled more than 26,000 miles across the city. In addition to sweeping neighborhoods where parking is restricted during sweeping hours, we also sweep neighborhoods where there are no parking restrictions, as well as sections of arterial roadways.”
To remind motorists of the restrictions, DPW will issue warnings between Wednesday, March 1 and Friday, March 10, 2017 to vehicles parked during the sweeping periods. “We want to thank motorists in advance for keeping the curb lanes clear so the sweepers can clean the streets. Their cooperation is what makes the program successful,” said Director Shorter.
“I am asked frequently if parking is allowed after the sweeper has swept the street but before the official period has ended,” said Director Shorter. “We encourage residents to wait until after the end of the two-hour sweeping period.”
Parked vehicles may be towed to allow the sweepers access to the curb lane. Generally, parking is prohibited for two hours (9:30 am to 11:30 am or 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm) while sweeping is underway, but where parking is allowed on only one side of the street, vehicles will be allowed to park on one side and the following day they may park on the other side.
For more information about street sweeping, go to www.dpw.dc.gov.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) provides essential city services in two distinct program areas: environmental services/solid waste management and parking enforcement. Both contribute to making our District streets and public spaces clean, safe, attractive and accessible for all residents, businesses, commuters and visitors.