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Updated: 12:48 AM Apr 15, 2008
Faded Lane Stripes Also A Traffic Hazard
Crews repainting roads along with filling potholes Road repair continues in Omaha as the weather warms up. A concern for many drivers is not just the abundance of potholes, but the lack of visible lane markings. Posted: 10:49 PM Apr 14, 2008Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com |
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Road repair continues in Omaha as the weather warms up. A concern for many drivers is not just the abundance of potholes, but the lack of visible lane markings.
"The potholes are really bad this year, they're all over," says one driver.
"In the midtown area they're a lot worse than out west," says Michael McCauley of Omaha.
And sometimes you don't know where you should be driving. "A lot of times they're being worn away," says Karin Clarkson of Omaha.
On a stretch of Farnam just east of Mutual of Omaha, the stripes have completely worn away. “You can't really tell which lane is which and they merge together so it's kind of hard to really tell once the winter gets away, which way the striping goes and which lane is what," says Clarkson.
"Especially on Dodge and when you get farther down, it's faded in the night when you're driving, really hard to see,” says McCauley. “Kind of worries you that you are going to hit something."
The problem is being addressed. Crews are out repainting lanes across the city. The city budgeted more than $1.3 million for lane striping this year. That's 870 lane miles or a drive from Omaha to Salt Lake City.
The city is looking into more permanent markings for lanes. A special tape is used that does not wear down as much during the winter.
As for the other problem, potholes. "I just ran into a pothole the other day and had to replace a tire," says Clarkson.
While most of the main roads have had some attention, other areas are in desperate need of help. "I could point out a few spots they could patch," says a driver.
Crews are also out filling potholes. Omaha's asphalt repairs will stretch nearly 1,700 miles or a drive from Omaha to San Diego.
Clarkson says we need to be patient. "Just have to take your time and just watch out for the holes in the street."
If you have a favorite pothole on your driving route that needs attention, call the city’s 24-hour pothole hotline, 444-4919.








