(Washington, DC) In the past, vehicles blocking curb lanes during the morning or the evening rush hours faced at least a $100 fine and the possibility of a “courtesy tow” to a nearby parking space off the rush hour street. However, beginning today, those vehicles still found in rush hour lanes may be towed a lot farther away as a result of a new partnership between the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) and AnA Towing Company. 

As of today, DPW began a pilot program to include AnA tow trucks to its fleet of tow trucks. AnA Towing Company began working with DPW trucks during morning rush hour, from 7 to 9:30 am, and during evening rush hour from 4 to 6:30 pm. Their job is to assist on some of the District’s most heavily trafficked commuter lanes, moving illegally parked cars that cause congestion, bottlenecks and frustration during the busiest travel times of the day.

This pilot program will run for 30 days and DPW will determine whether to continue this partnership or add on other private partnerships indefinitely. DPW explains that more resources have become necessary to keep rush hour lanes clear during peak commuting hours. 

“We just weren’t able to cover all the main commuting corridors with our own staff and equipment,” said DPW Director William O. Howland Jr. “Rather than making a large capital expenditure for more new tow cranes, we decided to hire a local, private company to fill in the gaps. We only use them when we need them. This is not the solution but it is a first attempt at devising a solution. We realize we will not get all of the violators but we intend to make a dent,” he said.

Where a towed vehicle ends up depends on which one gets to it first—DPW or AnA. DPW will continue its routine of towing a rush hour violator around the corner or to some reasonably nearby parking space. However, if towed by AnA, the vehicle will be taken to AnA’s private lot at 75 I Street, SE, which is near the Navy Yard Metro station on the Green Line.