Line-marking crews have begun the annual task of refreshing markings
on highways across British Columbia to help provide a safer drive for
motorists. More than 30,000 kilometres of lines are marked every year
throughout the province to guide drivers.
Lines are painted by independent contractors under pavement marking
agreements with the provincial government. These contracts specify which
lines must be repainted each year and which lines can be renewed on a
lower priority basis depending on wear, location
and traffic volumes.
Most lines are marked using quick-drying, water-based paints that are
environmentally friendly. Glass beads are suspended in the paint to
create reflectivity for better visibility at night. The thickness of the
paint and the application of beads are based
on provincial standards consistent with industry best practices.
Line markings are exposed to extreme weather, winter aggregates and
heavy traffic, which wears away the paint over time. The harsher the
winter and the more traffic that drives over the lines, the faster the
lines wear. Line markings tend to wear off faster
on new pavement because often it takes a season for the surface of new
pavement to settle. For this reason, the ministry specifies that new
paving projects must have two coats of paint applied in the first year.
The paint industry is constantly researching
technologies that will increase durability while ensuring the paint is
environmentally friendly.
New agreements were up for negotiation in 2019. The following 35 minute
video was made of the contractor information session and explains the
expectations of our Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Pavement-marking crews often work outside of normal working hours and
can be encountered at all times of the day or night and on any day of
the week. Signs may advise of “line markings in progress for next 8 km”
or so because work is done at less than 20
km/hour and large areas can be covered in a day. Most crews also use
message boards to provide information on the fresh lines and help direct
traffic when it is safe to pass.
Some drivers show little patience for line marking crews or poor ability
to stay between the lines. In additon to the usual rules that apply to
careless drivers, there is a specific rule in the Motor Vehicle Act that
prohibits driving over a newly painted line.
Newly painted lines143 A person must not drive on or over a newly painted line or
marking on a highway when the line is indicated by a traffic control
device.Penalty: $109 and 2 penalty points
When you encounter line marking crews in your travels, remember the Cone Zone and our Slow Down, Move Over rules.
Story URL: https://www.drivesmartbc.ca/road-maintenance/pavement-marking-progress
