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| Sweeper train on southbound I-110 (Harbor Freeway) |
Caltrans sweeping operations highways
and freeway are generally scheduled once a month. Anytime crews sweep a high occupancy vehicle (HOV)
or carpool lane, or a center median they start after 9:00 a.m. and in the
direction opposite of the morning rush. The
crews will generally start sweeping on the inbound side of a freeway after the
rush around noon. Some crews sweep at night on highways and freeways that have
low traffic volumes.
Sweeping at night can be unsafe for
motorists and our crews. During the day it is easier for motorists to see the
Caltrans and CHP vehicles in the “sweeper train” (pictured) and it is easier
for our crews to avoid impaired drivers, see pieces of metal, or other traffic
hazards alongside the freeway or highway.
Sweeper trains generally consist of a (from
front to back) pick-up truck, sweeper, back-up or shadow truck with an attenuator
(crash cushion), and an advanced warning sign truck. While the sweeper train is moving, a single maintenance worker will throw large debris into the back of the pick-up that the sweepers cannot pick up. One or two CHP vehicles will be inside of the train as well.
Occasionally,
maintenance crews will request MAZEEP (Maintenance Zone Enhanced Enforcement
Program) support from the CHP to create a traffic break to safely remove
dangerous debris from the roadway.
Caltrans requests you
observe and obey the Move Over law which requires you to move over or slow down
while Caltrans is working on the freeways or highways.
