Today's letters: Fix the hazard of vanishing traffic-lane markings
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Disappearing lines are dangerous
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Thank you to Coun. Tim Tierney for explaining why highways have become so dangerous, especially in the rain after dark on a busy, multi-lane highway such as the Queensway. The paints that have been substituted by federal fiat for those used formerly are not fit for purpose since the lines disappear rapidly.
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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) contribute to destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer, which protects life on our planet, and must be managed. Canada played a lead role in securing international agreement, the Montreal Protocol, on action to protect the ozone layer. VOCs are also a hazard in the human environment. What is most important to the welfare of citizens is their control inside residences, offices and other buildings, where concentrations are higher and people are exposed for longer. That is managed without creating other hazards.
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The simple-minded federal approach to highway paints has failed to take account of the resulting hazards to citizens. It also fails to deal with the relative importance of emissions from highway paint and from the combustion of gasoline and especially diesel fuel, that dominate the emission of VOCs from the use of roads. Until we all switch to EVs, sound environmental practice requires analysis of the the whole system, not just one side of the coin. The federal government has created a hazard to the health and welfare of citizens. It should re-evaluate.
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A big thank you to Coun. Tim Tierney for his enlightening piece on the short life of traffic lane markings. Like other drivers, I have long wondered about this fast-fading phenomenon and have dreaded driving at night, when the lines are entirely invisible.
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Coun. Tim Tierney has done something surprising and praiseworthy. All politicians are front and centre when the cameras gather at festivals, at community centre openings, at special cause celebrations. I rarely see them posing when new sewers are finished, or potholes filled, or weed-choked playing fields finally cleared.
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But those are the things we actually hire local politicians to take care of. It's the basic infrastructure of the city, the things we need and rely on daily that matter most.
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Globe and Mail
6 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Road lines fading faster after environmental rule, say local politicians – raising costs and safety concerns
Municipalities across the country say a government regulation that limits a group of chemicals used in painting road lines is hitting their budgets hard. Without the chemicals, they say, road lines fade more quickly, putting drivers at risk and forcing municipalities to repaint them more often. 'It seems like something small but it's actually something that affects every municipality across the country,' said Tim Tierney, vice-president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and an Ottawa city councillor. The federal regulations limit the allowable concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) − chemicals in paint products used for road markings − to 150 grams per litre in those products from 450. VOCs are also found in nail polish and hairsprays. The lower limit is required only from May 1 to Oct. 15, when the weather is mild and air pollution is a concern. These are the months during which most municipalities paint their road lines. The regulations by Environment and Climate Change Canada were put forward because VOCs contribute to the formation of both particulate matter and ground-level ozone, which are the two main components of smog. 'Health impacts from smog include irritated eyes, nose and throat. Smog can worsen existing heart and lung problems or may cause lung cancer with regular long-term exposure,' spokesperson Brandon Clim said in a statement. Gary LeRoux, president of the Canadian Coatings Association, said a steep drop in VOC concentration results in 'inherent issues with adhesion and durability.' Councillors across the country say the regulations overlook safety concerns on roads. They say municipalities now require multiple rounds of repaints a year as fading road lines continue to put drivers, pedestrians and motorists' lives at risk. Clark Somerville, councillor for the Town of Halton Hills and the region of Halton, said the regulation is ultimately costing Canadian taxpayers more, with their money being spent 'unnecessarily.' 'As the road painting is disappearing quicker, we are now spending taxpayers dollars to go out and repaint the roads more than what we had to before,' Mr. Somerville said. Rural municipalities say it's particularly an issue for them because their roads are darker and more dangerous at night. 'Anyone that gets behind a vehicle knows how important and key it is to have those lines on the road,' said Kara Westerlund, president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta and councillor for Brazeau County. 'Especially when you're in rural areas where we don't have [adequate] street lighting.' Ms. Westerlund, who represents 69 rural municipalities in Alberta, said it's not just councillors or elected officials who have been raising this issue. She said first responders, police services and volunteer firefighters are pointing to disappearing road markings to explain some road accidents. 'It's really tough because everyone wants to be a good steward to the environment, but I just think we have to pick and choose our battles,' said Mr. Tierney, the Ottawa councillor. 'And safety is a real one.' While councillors such as Mr. Somerville are calling for more funding to cover the cost of keeping up road lines, arguing that municipalities do not have the necessary 'wiggle room' in their budgets, Ms. Westerlund said more attention should be paid to the paint. 'Before throwing more funding at crews to paint the lines, let's get to the root of the issue and that is the paint itself,' Ms. Westerlund said. 'Let's find solutions there and move forward from there.' Mr. Clim, the Environment Canada spokesperson, said other factors also determine how long road markings last – traffic volume, weather conditions and how snow and ice are managed. The department 'has not received any technical information indicating that the VOC limits for traffic markings affect the product's performance,' Mr. Clim said. David Saucier, director of issues management at the Canadian Coatings Association, said the federal government should go back to the drawing board and consult industry experts. 'What are we compromising here?' Mr. Saucier said. 'If we're going to compromise health and safety for pedestrians and motorists, what are we saving?' Mr. Tierney said the regulation has had a positive impact when applied to products such as hairsprays or nail polish, 'even wall paint.' 'But when it comes to road painting specifically there doesn't seem to be a magic formula to make it work yet.'
Ottawa Citizen
14-05-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Today's letters: Fix the hazard of vanishing traffic-lane markings
Article content Disappearing lines are dangerous Article content Thank you to Coun. Tim Tierney for explaining why highways have become so dangerous, especially in the rain after dark on a busy, multi-lane highway such as the Queensway. The paints that have been substituted by federal fiat for those used formerly are not fit for purpose since the lines disappear rapidly. Article content Article content Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) contribute to destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer, which protects life on our planet, and must be managed. Canada played a lead role in securing international agreement, the Montreal Protocol, on action to protect the ozone layer. VOCs are also a hazard in the human environment. What is most important to the welfare of citizens is their control inside residences, offices and other buildings, where concentrations are higher and people are exposed for longer. That is managed without creating other hazards. Article content The simple-minded federal approach to highway paints has failed to take account of the resulting hazards to citizens. It also fails to deal with the relative importance of emissions from highway paint and from the combustion of gasoline and especially diesel fuel, that dominate the emission of VOCs from the use of roads. Until we all switch to EVs, sound environmental practice requires analysis of the the whole system, not just one side of the coin. The federal government has created a hazard to the health and welfare of citizens. It should re-evaluate. Article content Article content A big thank you to Coun. Tim Tierney for his enlightening piece on the short life of traffic lane markings. Like other drivers, I have long wondered about this fast-fading phenomenon and have dreaded driving at night, when the lines are entirely invisible. Article content Coun. Tim Tierney has done something surprising and praiseworthy. All politicians are front and centre when the cameras gather at festivals, at community centre openings, at special cause celebrations. I rarely see them posing when new sewers are finished, or potholes filled, or weed-choked playing fields finally cleared. Article content But those are the things we actually hire local politicians to take care of. It's the basic infrastructure of the city, the things we need and rely on daily that matter most.
CTV News
25-04-2025
- CTV News
City of Ottawa expects to save $10 million on fuel, natural gas after federal carbon tax removed
The elimination of the federal carbon tax could save the City of Ottawa millions of dollars on fuel and natural gas this year. The Liberal government reduced the carbon price for consumers to zero as of April 1. In response to an inquiry from Coun. Tim Tierney, staff say the 2025 City of Ottawa budget was based on a federal carbon tax rate of 21.4 cents per litre from January to April, and a rate of 25.4 cents per litre from April to December. Ottawa's natural gas budget was based on a federal carbon tax of 15.25 cents per cubic metre from January to April, and a rate of 18.11 cents per cubic metre from April to December. City Treasurer Cyril Rogers says the updated 2025 budget shows the city could save $10.5 million following the removal of the federal carbon tax. The savings include $7.2 million in savings on fuel for OC Transpo, $1.9 million in savings on natural gas for municipal facilities and $1.5 million in savings on fuel for municipal vehicles and buildings. 'It is important to note that the 2025 budget is based on pricing and volume consumption,' Rogers said. 'The savings identified above assumes the 2025 budget volume consumption is the same and does not account for higher fuel and natural gas volume consumptions driven by the above normal and harsh winter season from January to April.' A report on the 'actual fuel savings realized' by the city will be presented to the finance and corporate services committee later this year. Rogers adds any savings will be used to offset 'other operating deficits' in 2025, including winter operations costs for public works 'due to the harsh 2025 winter season.' Ottawa motorists saw gas prices drop 20 cents a litre on April 1 as the federal government lifted the consumer carbon tax on fuel prices.
