The Idaho Transportation Department will begin striping State Highway 55 today. As crews work their way north, drivers are urged to be patient and avoid passing during active painting operations.
The striping, which will cover the stretch from Horseshoe Bend to New Meadows, is expected to take up to four days to complete. During this time, a convoy of vehicles consisting of pace cars, a paint truck, and a crash cushion trailer will work together to ensure the safety of both the crew and the public. This line of vehicles will be moving slowly as they paint the roadway markings to ensure they last.
All of Idaho’s highways are painted at least once each year, with some areas receiving a second coat. This year, ITD will stripe more than 3,000 lane miles across Southwest Idaho. Drivers should exercise caution when following striping trucks, as driving over wet paint can strip away the reflective beads, reducing the visibility of road markings at night.