The familiar, orange street sweepers are coming out of hibernation to resume scheduled street cleaning operations beginning on Monday, March 18, 2002. Parking restrictions during street sweeping hours will also be in effect once again. Parking citations ($20 fine) will be issued to vehicles parked during street sweeping hours in areas posted with “No Parking/Street Cleaning” signs.

Scheduled residential street cleaning is suspended every year during January, February and the two weeks of March. Department of Public Works (DPW) officials explain that the large street-sweeping machinery spreads a thin layer of water under its rotating brushes to prevent excessive dust from being stirred into the air. The water can create hazardous road conditions during the winter when temperatures typically fall below freezing.

DPW also uses the winter months to refurbish the heavy-duty sweepers for spring-cleaning season.