Fast-fading road lines could cause city to change painting tactics
The city may switch to a more durable type of paint for road lines, and purchase a second line-painting truck, as Ottawa's winters have been taking their toll on the capital's road markings.
City staff recommend the changes, and spending an additional $3.7 million per year, in a report for the city's transportation committee.
The federal government forced cities to switch to more environmentally-friendly road line paint, in 2012. However the paint Ottawa has used since then isn't as durable, and in many high-traffic locations the road markings have not been lasting a full year until they can be re-painted.
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City staff recommend the city switch to a more durable, but more expensive, type of road paint for high-traffic areas. The type of paint would be the same type currently used in Calgary and Montreal.
The report also recommends the city buy a second line-painting truck and other equipment, at a total one-time cost of $1.6 million. City staff say only having one truck to paint road lines has compromised their ability to complete all of the painting that needs to be done each year.
The report will be tabled at the city's transportation committee and then at city council, early next month.
