Madison Reporter

Street sweeping operations will commence overnight on Sunday, March 9, 2025, as the Streets Division begins its seasonal cleaning efforts. The division aims to remove salt, sand, and other debris accumulated over the winter months.

The sweeping schedule includes two shifts: one from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and another from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., depending on weather conditions. This schedule is expected to last up to six weeks.

"Running street sweepers extra hours is a normal part of the Streets Division operations as the seasons change from winter to spring," explained a representative from the division. The goal is to prevent debris from entering storm drains and local waterways.

Winter poses challenges for street sweeping due to cold temperatures that can damage equipment and because most sweepers undergo maintenance during this period. "Sweepers require water to work, so they cannot operate when temperatures are too cold," noted the division.

Nighttime sweeping is preferred due to safety concerns with slow-moving vehicles that operate at speeds of up to 5 MPH. "It is considerably safer for the sweeper operators and the public to keep these very slow-moving vehicles out of conflict with traffic as much as possible," stated the division.

Residents are encouraged to comply with parking restrictions and avoid placing trash or recycling carts in street gutters. "When sweepers have to drive around obstructions, sections of road are left unswept until crews can rotate back through the neighborhood again," warned officials.

The Streets Division acknowledges potential disruptions but emphasizes the environmental benefits of their work. "We regret any disruption to your daily or nightly routines; however, it is important to note that the streets sweepers are doing important work for our local environment."

For further details on street sweeping operations, residents can visit cityofmadison.com/streets.