Brighter, more reflective road lines coming to Lower Mainland highways

A Lower Mainland contractor that paints road lines is using a new technology to make them even brighter and more reflective.

Mainroad Pavement Marking is using new technology from Switzerland on B.C. roads.

Glass beads are added to the line marking paint to help improve visibility during low-light conditions.

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Mainroads’ contract with the provincial transportation ministry calls for “retroreflectivity tests” to be carried out within 30 days of pavement marking, and again at the end of painting season.

A mobile “retroreflectometer” is attached to a moving vehicle travelling at the posted speed limit. Mainroad says this new technology eliminates the need for lane closures and is safer. It also saves time.

“Mainroad’s investment in this mobile unit eliminates the need for lane closures and traffic control and is a far more safe and efficient process than the hand held testing device we used previously,” says operations manager Ken Nash.

Mainroad maintains Highway 1 through the Lower Mainland, including the Port Mann Bridge. The company also maintains the South Fraser Perimeter Road, among other routes.