Construction work on a Leland causeway is creating multiple traffic problems. On U.S. 17-74-76, one such issue is line visibility, with drivers complaining that they see up to three lane lines on the road.
Instead of grinding away former pavement markings, which is costly and leaves room for standing water, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is trying a new product called MagNuLane. MagNuLane is painted over the old road lines, and then new markings are added. However, drivers complain that the old road lines are still visible, which creates confusion over which they should follow.
Jackson Provost, Division Construction Engineer, says MagNuLane is being used to move traffic over about five feet during the years of construction on the causeway:
"Typically, paint that we put out there has glass beads in it for reflectivity. And when you try to cover up those old lines, you have a trace of the old lines. This product we’re using is supposed to do a better job of covering that up so you see only the one line. Looks like we’re still trying to tweak that which will help the visibility through the work zone."
The Department of Transportation is looking into higher reflectivity paints for the lane striping to help delineate lines better. According to the Star News, this is "the first work zone application of MagNuLane" by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.