Caution, wet paint: Some Regina roads getting new lane markings

Some things are missing from a number of Regina roads and, unfortunately for drivers, those things are not potholes, flooded underpasses or endless construction projects.

They’re painted lines that mark lanes.

Ryley Slywka, the manager of transportation operations with the City of Regina, assures drivers that lines are coming.

As of Monday, crews have transitioned to nightly painting.

“The goal is to get Albert Street done, then transition to Sask. Drive and then Victoria (Avenue),” said Slywka. “Those are the ones that we will prioritize over the next week.”

The pavement marking program operates from May through October. The transition to nightly paints came a bit later, causing a minor delay.

The street painters operate behind the street sweeping program, which was delayed by the snowstorm that hit Regina on April 19.

“We never want to get ahead of that (street sweeping) program,” he said. “What’s the point? Then we’re just applying paint over loose gravel and it’s not going to stick anyway.”

As soon as the street sweeping is completed, the pavement marking program is activated.

Slywka reminded drivers to be patient with crews and that the paint does not dry immediately.

“If people are able to give a little space to construction crews and not drive over that material, it makes for a better product that lasts longer,” he said.

Streets are put into three different categories of prioritization.

Category 1 are high-volume streets like Ring Road, Albert Street and Victoria Avenue. Those streets get three paint applications a year.

Category 2 are medium-volume streets. They receive two applications a year.

Category 3 are low-volume residential streets. They get one application a year.

High-traffic roads like Albert Street get a special coat of paint called permanent pavement marking or thermal plastic. That type of paint gets slightly embedded into the pavement, lasts longer and is more durable.