The City of Saskatoon is spending more to draw the line on Saskatoon streets.
An additional $500,000 — on top of the $800,000 the city spends annually to repaint road lines — will be spent on durable road markings this year.
“Winter operations, including the use of gravel and snow clearing, as well as higher traffic volumes, wear off road paint faster,” said Angela Gardiner, the city’s director of transportation, in a media release.
“This is why we are expanding the use of more durable markings on higher volume roadways. While the upfront cost is higher, these markings last longer and are visible year round.”
The paint used in durable road markings is more expensive but, according to the city, lasts longer and is visible year-round.
The durable markings will be painted this summer on major roadways and freeways including 51st Street and areas on Circle Drive.
The paint will also be used when new roads are built or existing ones are fixed.
City crews begin painting road lines each spring once street sweeping is underway — which is usually in late April or early May. Gardiner couldn’t say exactly when crews would be out this spring as the schedule is dependent on weather.
Crews typically paint until late October.
