PHILADELPHIA – The Sanitation Department announces the return of its weekly seasonal cleaning program running Monday, April 1 through Friday, November 1, 2024. The Department will host five 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.

The Mechanical Cleaning program aligns with Mayor Parker’s approach to addressing quality of life issues. Through the City’s investment in street cleaning, the Sanitation Department provides cleaning in 14 neighborhoods identified through the Litter Index as having the highest concentration of litter.

“The City is committed to improving the quality of life across the city, while giving residents an opportunity to see first hand how we are making Philadelphia neighborhoods clean, green, and more vibrant,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “We are proud to provide these additional city services to supplement cleaning efforts in neighborhoods that need it the most. Not only will these efforts contribute to a city that is not only cleaner and greener, but also equitable and resilient.”

For the 2024 cleaning season the program’s boundaries have expanded in seven of the existing areas to begin consolidating the geographic areas already receiving mechanical street cleaning. “Integrating the current areas already receiving mechanical street cleaning allows for a proactive citywide strategy that addresses quality of life issues in every neighborhood prioritizing the most underserved communities first,” said Carlton Williams, Director of Clean and Green Initiatives.

Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend any of the following Zoom meetings using Meeting ID: 847 4303 6078 and passcode: 335591. 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:

• Tuesday, March 26 at 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 27 at 10 a.m.
• Thursday, March 28 at noon
• Wednesday, April 10 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 23 10:00 a.m.

The 2024 Mechanical Cleaning Program will launch on Monday, April 1 in the following areas:

• Frankford: Levick to Adams Ave. from Griscom St. to Keystone

         2024 Expanded Cleaning: Frankford Avenue to Keystone St from Levick Ave to Bridge St

• 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 Mascher St

         2024 Expanded Cleaning: 5^th to Mascher Sts from Godfrey Ave to Roosevelt Blvd

• Nicetown: Broad St. to Hunting Park, Clarissa St. and Stenton Av from Lindley/Logan Sts to Allegheny Av

          2024 Expanded Cleaning: Hunting Park Lippincott to from Broad St to Hunting Park and Windrim to Lindley St/Logan St from Stenton Av to Windrim Av.

• North Central: Broad St. to 22^nd St. from Allegheny to Diamond St.

          2024 Expanded Cleaning: Glenwood to Allegheny from 22^nd to Broad Sts

• Paschall: 58^th St. to 70^th St. from Cobbs Creek to Dicks Ave.

          2024 Expanded Cleaning: Cobbs Creek to Greenway from 70th St to Cobbs Creek

• Point Breeze: Christian St. to McKean St. from Broad St. to 24^th St.
• Port Richmond: Kensington Ave. to Aramingo Ave. from Tioga St. to Lehigh Ave.
• South Philly: McKean St. to Oregon Ave. from 4^th St. to 8^th St.
• Southwest: Woodland Ave. to Kingsessing Ave. from 49^th St. to Cemetery Ave. and 58^th to 61^st from Cobbs Creek to Kingsessing Av
• Strawberry Mansion: Diamond/Sedgley to Allegheny Ave. from 22nd to 33^rd Sts

          2024 Expanded Cleaning: Allegheny to Lehigh Avenues from 22nd to 29th Sts

• West Fairhill: Front to 13th St. from Glenwood Ave. to Diamond

          2024 Expanded Cleaning: 5^th to Front from Susquehanna to Diamond

• West Philly: Parkside Ave. to Spring Garden St. from 52nd St. to 40th St.

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. The City’s densely populated neighborhoods present challenges when relocating vehicles. The areas can be tight and finding parking spots can be scarce. 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, except for the final expansion area of the Frankford from Levick to Adams from Griscom to Keystone. The Department will work with partner agencies to install poles and post signs in the seventh expanded area. The final expansion area will have restricted parking requiring the relocation of vehicles once all required posted signage is completed in area.

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. The program will operate four days per week, Monday through Thursday excluding City-observed holidays. 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.

For the success of the program and to avoid fines, motorists 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 one-month warning period for all 14 sections.  Beginning on Monday, April 29, posted “No Parking” signs will be enforced with assessed fines.  The Parking Authority will be issuing warnings on vehicles parked on the roadway during specified no parking times through Friday, April 26.

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.

“The hybrid cleaning approach used in our mechanical cleaning program allows us to address litter conditions holistically. We are able to provide a more comprehensive cleaning across the city in areas that have higher concentrations of litter and illegal dumping,” said Crystal Jacobs Shipman, Sanitation Commissioner.

This 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 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.