As Multnomah County embarks on its annual ritual of road beautification and safety, the Transportation Department is sending out a clarion call to local drivers: Stay clear of the fresh paint. According to a news release on Multnomah County's official website, road striping crews are in full swing, and the paint they use needs ample time - up to six minutes under ideal conditions - to set and do its job. They caution that driving over this not-yet-dried paint can lead to reduced visibility of road lines during nocturnal and damp weather episodes, a hazard for everyone on the road.
Speaking to the meticulous operation of painting the county's roadways, Multnomah County Striper Operator Geoff Rosenberger emphasized the importance of those reflective lines, which clearly mark the ends of roadways and separate travel lanes. He told the county news outlet, "In the striping paint, there’s a mixture of glass beads,” Multnomah County Striper Operator Geoff Rosenberger said. “The glass beads are what make the lines reflective." Consequently, when impatient drivers decide not to wait and drive over this fresh coat, the results are twofold: they not only to get their tires daubed in paint but also jeopardize road safety by stripping the lines of their crucial reflectivity.
With the striping season running from early spring and stretching into fall, sometimes even nipping at the heels of early winter, one might often encounter these mobile teams performing their precise dance along the roads. This work hinges on the kiss of dry weather, necessitating patience from those behind the wheel. The safety measures include pilot trucks, moving at a deliberate pace, emblazoned with 'wet paint' to cue drivers into maintaining a respectful distance from the fresh work.
