Painting the town

Photo: Kate Bouey

The City of Vernon has reissued its line painting tender, after complaints the yellow and white lines on many city streets had all but disappeared.

Staff point an accusing finger at an organic compound paint that has been used the last three years.

Before that, oil-based paint was used for line painting but was discontinued due to a change in environmental regulations.

The new contract will require the winning firm to measure the thickness of the paint, using a digital pavement marking measuring instrument, to ensure the application meets the terms of the contract.

Staff say other options for line painting, such as a thermoplastic paint, were reviewed and rejected due to the expense.

Based on local industry quotations, thermoplastic paint costs about $6 per metre, compared to 30 cents per metre for the organic compound paint, says a staff report.