DPW to start repainting road surface markings next month

The Department of Public Works will start repainting road surface markings along main thoroughfares of Saipan by next month.

DPW Secretary Diego B. Songsong said they are currently preparing the funds for the project and within a month they would have procured all the necessary materials.

Songsong said it has been a long time since such repainting work has been done because there is limited budget for it or it is not part of the legislated funding for the department.

Also because of this problem, DPW cannot estimate yet the cost for this project.

He said there are other major and important projects that DPW is currently preparing to implement.

“We don’t have enough resources so we have to look into other sources of funding,” he said regarding the repainting works for the road surface markings.

Songsong conceded, though, that such repainting work is extremely important to the public because they are concerned about the safety of pedestrians and motorists alike.

He also explained that this kind of project is the sole responsibility of a state so they could not request for federal funding.

Songsong said they might need contractors to do the works but they still have to determine if they only need DPW crew to do it.

Road surface markings are used on paved roadways to provide guidance and information to drivers and pedestrians.

Songsong explained that there are two colors for the road markings—the yellow and white line markings.

In standard practice, white lines are usually on the road surface and tell something about the road that you are traveling on. Lines that travel along the road (longitudinal) inform and warn drivers of approaching situations that will need them to do something—like turn right, or do not cross. Lines that cross the road (transverse) give instructions to road users like “give way” or “stop.”

There are various types of yellow lines marked on the road or on the edge of the pavement or kerb that indicate waiting restrictions. They are usually used when there is a need to restrict parking to help keep traffic flowing and consistent, and to prevent people from being obstructed by other vehicles on public highways.

Double yellow lines tell us that there is no waiting at any time. However, there are usually exceptions and if there are, they will be indicated by plates attached to lamp posts nearby to tell motorists what the actual restrictions are. They can vary from council to council.

Single yellow lines tend to be less restrictive. Plates attached to lamp posts will tell you the exact restrictions and you may find that you are able to park there as long as you are not doing so at a restricted time.