Lane lines are repainted once a year. We use a latex paint that needs 5-10 minutes to dry. Because of this, the "Big Rig" is followed by a pickup truck that has a worker setting out cones. This truck is followed by another truck with flashing lights and a large sign for safety.

Annual line painting is a weather sensitive job that usually starts in spring. The operation begins downtown, then heads out to the east side and works its way west.

Directional pavement markings are done in a variety of ways. The most common methods are painting using stencils and applying large tape-like stickers that bond to the asphalt. The painting crew uses a small painting machine for directional arrows as well as cross-hatching and other small pavement markings.

The large cold tape markings are used in asphalt areas but are temperature sensitive and won’t bond to concrete. Crosswalks and some other specialty markings are made using a material that is called Thermoplastic; blocks of plastic which are melted and sprayed onto the road surface. It dries in 1 minute. Thermoplastic lasts 4-7 years but doesn’t adhere well to concrete. 

Public Services asks that drivers allow adequate drying time before driving on newly painted surfaces.