Public Works crews are gearing up to start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program to clear away what has accumulated in the streets over the winter. The City has scheduled Tuesday, April 16, for the first day of sweeping. Beginning Monday, April 15, drivers should watch for temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow.

Starting April 16 for approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.

For the second year, the City will feature hot pink “No Parking” signs. Watch for the bright signs to know where to park to avoid a ticket and tow during street sweeping.

Residents, workers and visitors have several ways to find out more about street sweeping:

• “No Parking” signs – Crews will post “No Parking” signs at least 24 hours before sweeping any streets. Parking will be banned from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the day a street is swept. Sweeping a street takes multiple passes of equipment and the street sweeper. The “No Parking” signs will be removed as soon as possible after a street has been completely swept to allow people to resume parking. Drivers should not park along these streets until these temporary “No Parking” signs are removed.
• Phone calls to residents – The City will make about 3,500 automated phone calls each evening to let residents know their street will be swept the next day.
• Interactive web tool – You can see when your street is scheduled to be swept by visiting the interactive street sweeping map.
• Videos – Street sweeping is explained in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong in short videos on the City’s YouTube channel.

Clean streets mean a healthier environment

Minneapolis is known for its sparkling lakes and waterways, and we want to keep it that way. That’s why protecting and enhancing our environment is one of the City’s top priorities. Street sweeping is one way we work to protect our environment because it keeps leaves, trash and other pollutants from clogging our storm drains and polluting our lakes, creeks and the Mississippi River. It also helps keep our neighborhoods clean and livable.

Residents should not push leaves, grass clippings, or anything else into city streets. Not only is it bad for our waterways, it’s against the law. Anything that goes down a storm drain flows directly into our lakes, creeks and the Mississippi River, and decomposing plant material in the water encourages the growth of harmful aquatic plants and algae.

If you are looking to help keep our waterways clean, consider participating in the Minneapolis Adopt-a-Drain Program, where you can commit to clearing leaves and trash regularly from your adopted storm drains.