The DC Department of Public Works announces that scheduled mechanical street cleaning operations will be suspended this winter from January 4 until March 18, 2002. Street cleaning stops temporarily every year during January, February and the first part of March, traditionally the coldest months of the year. DPW officials explain that the street-sweeping machinery spreads a thin layer of water under their rotating brushes, creating potentially hazardous, icy, road conditions during winter months.

Also, from January 4 until March 18, 2002, No Parking/Street Cleaning restrictions will 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.

The city will take advantage of any fair-weather 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.