As any driver in Prince George knows, the city’s street markings are in need of a paint job.
Although street sweeping crews have been able to get to work early this year due to the early end of winter, the City’s Manager of Roads Blake McIntosh says that won’t be the case for roadways markings.
He says the average temperature has to be around ten degrees before application can begin to ensure proper drying. “Prior to that we need our survey crews out marking some of the faded lines so we can have nice straight roadway markings”
According to a report to City Council, there is 459 kilometres of lines that need to be painted on city streets. There is also another 595 pedestrian crossings, 463 stop bars and 609 directional arrows that all need to be painted by hand.
Due to regulations brought in by Environment Canada a few years ago, road paint now has to be water based, causing it to fade rapidly under high traffic and snow / ice clearing operations.
“I believe that the Ministry of Transportation experiences this as well under the same guidelines. As you notice on their regional highways the paint lines are worn out as well.” McIntosh said
The Ministry of Transportation is in the process of testing different types of paint for durability. In Prince George, McIntosh says they are trying their own pilot project on 15th Ave.
“Later on in the season, we will do a second application of paint to see if that will improve the life expectancy of the lineway markings.”
And once street marking crews get started, the city says they expect things to be a bit straighter this year. The contractor responsible for last years wonky and crooked lines has been sacked. McIntosh says the new contractor has a long history of doing good work for the City.