Highway Services Expands Road Sweeping Program

The MCDOT Division of Highway Services (DHS) has expanded its road sweeping operation from once a month to twice a month along 191 miles of arterial roadways.  So far this season, DHS has collected nearly 1,000 tons of debris, preventing these pollutants from reaching the Chesapeake Bay.

Supported by the Department of Environmental Protection under its stream protection program, DHS also conducts an annual sweeping of 3,900 curb miles of residential streets, typically collecting another 1,000 tons of debris. Sweeping efforts focus on areas located in more environmentally sensitive neighborhoods, many of which are part of the Anacostia watershed.  Sweeping is usually completed by July, but due to this year’s derecho, operations were suspended for a month during storm cleanup.  DHS should complete the sweeping by the end of August.