Street Sweeping Ends Oct. 31st – Leaf Collection Schedule Starts Nov. 4

Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc

From DPW:

“The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) announced today that weekly residential mechanical street cleaning will end for the season Thursday, October 31, 2013. “No Parking/Street Cleaning” restrictions will be lifted and motorists may park on posted, alternate-side, daytime sweeping routes without moving their cars on street-cleaning days. All other parking restrictions will remain in effect. Residential street sweeping will resume Monday, March 3, 2014, weather permitting.

Residential street sweeping is suspended for public safety concerns and to allow the employees to transition to leaf collection duties, which start November 4. The sweepers release a fine spray of water to control dust as they sweep. When the temperature is at freezing or below, the spray can freeze and cause hazards for vehicles and pedestrians.

Overnight sweeping along the District’s major roadways, e.g., Pennsylvania, Georgia, Constitution, and Independence Avenues, will continue all winter, as weather permits. Motorists should obey the street sweeping signs posted along these streets.

By suspending the street sweeping program, DPW personnel can focus on leaf collection, which runs from November 4, 2013 through January 11, 2014 as well as the upcoming snow removal season. Leaves will be removed from neighborhood treeboxes at least twice, following the schedule that can be found:

DC_leaf_collection_schedule (PDF)

Loose leaves raked into the treeboxes or bagged leaves placed there will be collected and composted. During the last two weeks of leaf collection season (December 29-January 11), DPW will collect holiday trees and other greenery from residents whose trash is collected by DPW. The trees and greenery should be placed where their trash is collected. Please remove all ornaments and lights and do not put the tree(s) in a bag.”