PHILADELPHIA – As part of Mayor Kenney’s commitment to ensuring quality of life and well-being in every neighborhood, the Streets Department announces the launch of Phase III of the Mechanical Cleaning Program. Phase III runs Monday, April 3 through Friday, November 3, 2023. With 14 residential areas designated for Phase III, there will be six virtual community meetings where residents and stakeholders can learn about the Mechanical Cleaning Program.  Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions of Department leadership following the presentation.

Through the City’s investment in street cleaning, the Streets Department has expanded Phase III to include cleaning in 14 neighborhoods identified through the Litter Index as having the highest concentration of litter.  The mechanical cleaning program will expand to six new neighborhoods for a total of 20 beginning in July 2024. In preparation for the expansion of the six new areas, the Streets Department will begin installation of poles and posting signage along with testing equipment on designated routes in the new selected areas. The additional areas will have restricted parking requiring the relocation of vehicles once all required posted signage is completed in area.

Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend any of the following Zoom meetings using Meeting ID: 873 1719 3203 and passcode: 996285.  Residents can also connect via phone at 267-831-0333.  A Zoom presentation followed by a live question and answer segment is available on the following dates:

• Monday, March 20 at 10a.m.
• Tuesday, March 21 at 1p.m.
• Wednesday, March 22 at 6p.m.
• Monday, March 27 at 5p.m.
• Tuesday, March 28 at 9a.m.
• Wednesday, March 29 at 12p.m.

“We know there is a direct correlation between a clean neighborhood and how people feel and perceive the safety of their community,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “In 2022, the program cleaned over 16,000 miles in areas more prone to litter supporting residents and business owners. The Mechanical program and its expansion as outlined in the proposed FY24 operating budget will bring us closer to our goal, in which every neighborhood is a litter-free and welcoming environment for families, businesses and visitors.”

The 2023 Mechanical Cleaning Pilot Program will launch on Monday, April 3 in the following areas:

• Frankford: Bridge St. to Adams Ave. from Griscom St. to Torresdale Ave.
• Germantown: Berkley St. to Chelten Ave. from Pulaski Ave. to Wakefield St.
• Kensington: 2nd St. to Kensington Ave. from Tioga St. to Lehigh Ave.
• Logan: Godfrey St. to Roosevelt Blvd. from Broad St. to 5th Sts.
• Nicetown: Broad St. to Clarissa St. from Hunting Park Ave. to Windrim Ave.
• North Central: Broad St. to 22^nd from Glenwood Ave. to Diamond St.
• Paschall: 58th St. to 70^th from Greenway Ave. to Dicks St.
• Point Breeze: Christian St. to McKean St. from Broad St. to 24th St.
• Port Richmond: Kensington Ave. to Aramingo Ave. from Tioga St. to Lehigh Ave.
• South Philly: McKean St. to Oregon Ave. from 4th St. to 8th St.
• Southwest: Woodland Ave. to Kingsessing Ave. from 49th St. to Cemetery Ave.
• Strawberry Mansion: Diamond St. to Lehigh Ave. from Sedgley St. to 33^rd
• West Fairhill: 5th St. to 13th St. from Glenwood Ave. to Susquehanna Ave.
• West Philly: Parkside Ave. to Spring Garden St. from 52nd St. to 40th St.

“This initiative helps to reduce trash and litter conditions in the City’s most vulnerable communities,” said Managing Director Tumar Alexander.  “The areas selected have been identified as requiring additional city services to supplement cleaning efforts.”

Vehicle Relocation and Parking:

To facilitate a more detailed cleaning, there will be restricted parking on some streets in all 14 areas. Streets wide enough to accommodate relocation of vehicles. Some of the routes in the expanded mechanical cleaning pilot program will require residents to move their vehicles.

“Mechanical broom cleaning is most effective when the brooms are able to reach the curb lines,” said Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams. “The City’s densely populated neighborhoods present challenges when relocating vehicles. The areas can be tight and finding parking spots can be challenging. Therefore, relocation of vehicles will be selected based on the width of each block.”

“No Parking” signage during specified times has been posted in all 14 areas. Parking is restricted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., on a staggered schedule.  Alternate street parking intervals will be staggered from 9 – 11 a.m.,11 a.m. – 1 p.m., and 1 – 3 p.m. Any unplanned obstacles, i.e., blocked streets or mechanical failure may cause a delay or cancellation for the day. Efforts will be made to service locations as quickly as possible. The program will operate four days per week, Monday through Thursday excluding City-observed holidays.

For the success of the program and to avoid fines, residents must adhere to the parking restrictions listed on the posted signs.  To encourage residents to become reacclimated to the parking restrictions, there will be a 30-day warning period through the month of April. The Parking Authority will be issuing warnings on vehicles parked on the roadway during specified no parking times through Friday, April 28. Beginning on Monday, May 1, posted “No Parking” signs will be enforced with assessed fines. 

Background:

The mechanical cleaning program will be a hybrid of mechanical sweeping, sidewalk litter and trash removal, and trash compactor removal. The Department will continue to evaluate and adjust logistics as necessary to ensure the program is operating effectively and efficiently. Some streets in each pilot area may have sidewalk cleaning maintenance along with mechanical broom cleaning weekly.

Mechanical street cleaning is an effective tool in reducing litter from city streets and preventing trash and debris from entering the water systems. “Mechanical cleaning supports the City’s efforts to make Philadelphia streets safer by keeping streets free of debris.  This will enhance and provide a good and safe experience for all users,” said Mike Carroll, Deputy Managing Director for Transportation.

This pilot program is more comprehensive than standard mechanical sweeping. Equipment used in some areas will help to clear loose litter on sidewalks and other items not easily accessible with a standard mechanical sweeper. The equipment includes mechanical brooms (large and small), sidewalk sweepers, push brooms, and trash compactors used to remove illegally dumped materials. Backpack blowers will be used as part of the launch but not on all streets. They are an effective tool when clearing debris from sidewalks and on small streets where the mechanical broom is unable to fit.

Residents should become accustomed to the new parking restrictions and become familiar with City sanitation regulations. To ensure proper cleaning is maintained, SWEEP Officers will patrol neighborhoods to educate residents on sanitation violations related to trash and litter and may issue warnings on vehicles not moved during designated times.

To minimize the inconvenience during parking restrictions, residents are urged to utilize SweepPHL, a web-based map that allows residents to track and monitor the progress of the mechanical broom. The online tool is housed on StreetSmartPHL.phila.gov. Residents can also find the latest Litter Index scores on the site.

Residents are reminded that the Mechanical Street Cleaning Pilot Program supports community led efforts to clean blocks. City Sanitation regulations must be adhered to including setting trash out on regular collection day in the authorized location. Only household trash should be set out for pick up.  Visit www.phila.gov/streets for specific regulations.