Anyone cruising down state Highway 29 at 70 mph (or even at slower speeds due to construction efforts) probably hasn’t realized the width of the white lines on the side of the road has changed.
Tony Kemnitz, of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, briefly discussed the change at the July 21 meeting of the Shawano County Highway Safety Commission.
“Paint lines have gone from 4 inches to 6 inches,” he said. “We’ve done that on all the state highways; however, on county highways, they’re still allowed to go to 4 inches.”
Many counties have opted to stay at 4 inches of county roads due to the cost.
“We’re staying with 4 inches except for certain ones that line with state roads,” said Grant Bystol, Shawano County highway commissioner. “Bottom line is it’s 50% more product. A lot more money.”
Kemnitz and Randy Wiessinger, Bureau of Transportation Safety, said they understood the reasoning behind the county’s decision, while Kemnitz said there is a known safety benefit going to wider lines.
“Wider lines and pavement markings, there’s evidence to show that that’ll slow people down,” Wiessinger said. “The perception (is that) the lane is narrower, so narrower lanes, the slower people tend to drive.”
Bystol said if the Shawano County made the switch to wider lines, it would cost an additional $150,000.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
