How it works
Line painting involves one paint truck with one or two follow-up trucks and a police escort. These vehicles act as a buffer to keep traffic back. This allows the new lines to dry before they are driven over.
This operation travels along the road between 12 and 15 kilometers per hour. Drivers should expect delays.
If you come upon the line marking operation:
- Be patient, use caution and follow the signs and arrows.
- Do not pass the vehicles or try to fit in between them. The paint is still wet at that point and will spray up on your vehicle.
The Region uses latex paint for roadway line painting. Glass beads are added to the paint as it is applied to the road to help increase the visibility of the lines at night. The Region regularly inspects the lines throughout Durham to ensure they are reflecting well.
Drying time
Road paint only takes a few minutes to dry. However, that time can change depending on temperature and humidity. To avoid damage to your vehicle and the lines on the road, stay off freshly painted lines, or choose an alternate route.
Line painting season runs from the beginning of May until the middle of October. Painting often takes place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the week.
Intersection markings
The Region paints intersection markings (such as crosswalks and arrows) with a different kind of paint. It is a durable plastic paint that has a longer lifespan than latex paint. We only use this type of paint at intersections due to the high cost of the material and installation. Intersections require repainting every three to five years.
2018 line painting schedule
Dates are subject to change. To find out where line painting is happening today, view our Traffic Watch Map.
- Town of Ajax: May 14 to June 7
- City of Pickering: May 22 to July 9
- Township of Uxbridge: June 8 to July 31
- Town of Whitby: July 3 to August 20
- City of Oshawa: July 20 to September 6
- Municipality of Clarington: August 9 to October 10
- Townships of Scugog and Brock: watch for road signs in your area
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