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 kilometres 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.
Line markings are essential for the safe and efficient movement of traffic. Strategic placement of line markings can also be used to calm traffic and improve safety. For example, Dragon's teeth are white triangular shaped pavement markings that are installed as a gateway feature to alert the driver they are entering a community where speeds may be reduced and where there may be vulnerable road users present such as cyclists or pedestrians. They are intended to encourage drivers to slow down and increase their awareness of their surroundings.
View Paint Removal Instructions
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.
Road marking paint test area
The Region is testing road marking material on Simcoe Street (Regional Road 2) south of Whitfield Road in the Township of Scugog (Port Perry).
Known as a ‘test deck’, it is a method to test commercial road marking paints where multiple strips of paint are applied to the road.
Paint markings on the test deck are evaluated on their colour, durability, daytime and night-time visibility. The markings are observed and assessed for one or more summer/winter seasons, allowing the road markings to be continuously exposed to traffic, salt/brine, sand, snow, snowplows, abrasion, humidity, temperature changes and moisture.
Results from these tests will allow the Region to continue to assess and update standards as new commercial products are introduced.
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