Dear Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to add my weight to Christine Parkes Jan. 4 comments (Mailbag: Roads Without Eyes Leave Drivers Blind) regarding the marking of road lane lines on our highways and streets.
The lane markings on Hwy. 99, particularly on the curves in that length of road near Lions Bay, leave a lot to be desired. The upgrade of Hwy. 99 for the Olympics introduced some tighter curves to accommodate the four-lane road. As a result, the lane markings are necessary to ensure cars remain in their lanes. However, on wet, dark nights the painted white lines are almost invisible and quite ineffective, resulting in drivers wandering from one lane to another. The maintenance of Hwy. 99 falls within the jurisdiction of the provincial government and I hope the highways department notes the concerns of drivers.
The lane markings of some of our streets and roads within the district also leave a lot to be desired. Just two of the roads (out of the many) that concern me are the length of Capilano Road between Keith Road and Garden Avenue. With the realignment of this section of road, some new curves have been added that require drivers to make some sweeping moves to follow the lanes. Again, in dark, wet weather the lanes' markings become almost invisible.
The other area is at the intersection of Mount Seymour Parkway and Lillooet Road to the intersection of the parkway and Riverside Drive. Again, in bad weather, the lane markings virtually disappear. The lines within the intersection of the parkway, Lillooet Road and Fern Street - all curved lines marking the turning lanes become very confusing when wet.
As Ms. Parkes suggests, all these road markings would benefit greatly if cat's eyes were used to highlight the lane ways. If cat's eyes are considered too expensive, I am sure in this age of high technology a luminescent paint could be developed to mark these lines.
John Lempriere, North Vancouver
