Worcester Launches Street Sweepers For 2023 Season

WORCESTER, MA — The dance of the springtime street sweepers has begun in Worcester.

The city's annual spring street sweeping program blasted off Monday, according to the Department of Public Works and Parks. Street sweepers will roll through neighborhoods during business hours on weekdays for up to eight weeks, and parking bans will accompany them as they cross the city.

The street sweepers will first hit neighborhoods that have trash and recycling pickup on Thursdays. The sweepers will then will move slightly out of order through the remaining trash days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday and ending on Wednesday.

The city will give residents one to two days' notice before beginning. Once parking bans go into place, cars owners that don't move could face $50 fines.

"Generally, notice is given 1 to 2 days in advance. However, a variety of factors may impact our ability to sweep streets such as inclement weather, etc. We appreciate resident cooperation for the duration of the program," the DPW says.

Street sweeping season is similar to the fall leaf pickup in the way it operates, but not what the city collects. The city will not pick up piles of leaves and sticks or other yard waste. Residents can sweep small debris and sand into the gutter for collection, however.

With street sweeping now underway, you can track where the sweepers are heading on the city website.