SERVICES | STREET MAINTENANCE - STREET SWEEPING

Sweeping provides two primary benefits to the City. The more obvious benefit is the collection and removal of paper, leaves, and other visible debris that collect in the gutters. In addition to being unsightly, this debris can block the catch basins and other storm water facilities, causing localized flooding during heavy rains. An equally important, but less visible benefit is the removal of metal particles, and other hazardous waste products left by passing vehicles. Although they are virtually invisible, these particles can be extremely harmful to the fish and other wildlife, if they reach our creeks, our rivers, and eventually the bay. Street sweeping is an effective method of removing both the large and microscopic pollutants that collect on City streets. The City of San Jose sweeps all of its streets at least once per month. To provide this service, the City has three different programs:

• Residential Street Sweeping (RSS)
• Central Business District sweeping (CBD)
• Arterial, Commercial & Bike Route sweeping (ACB)

Residential Street Sweeping (RSS)

The majority of San Jose's citizens are served by the RSS program, which covers approximately 2950 curb miles on a once a month schedule. Sweeping for the RSS program occurs between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. to minimize the impact of parked cars. The program uses two different venders for each of the two sweeping districts.

Central Business District (CBD) and Transit Mall

The CBD and the Transit Mall program consist of approximately 30 curb miles around the downtown core of San Jose. To minimize the impact on businesses, residents and visitors to the down town area, sweeping occurs between the hours of 2 a.m. and 7a.m.

Arterial, Commercial & Bike Route sweeping (ACB)

The ACB program covers the larger arterial streets within the City (e.g. Camden Avenue, Tully Road, Stevens Creek Boulevard). Because ACB streets are major transportation routes, streets are swept either twice per month or weekly between 2 a.m. and 11a.m. This program covers approximately 1040 miles of curb, and is swept by City crews.