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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation will install highly visible lane markings in Salt Lake City, Davis, Weber and Box Elder counties as part of the “largest lane marking project in state history.”

“Our goal is to help everyone on the road see their lane, day or night,” said UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras. “Everyone should feel safe.”

The new contrast stripes, called “tiger tail” stripes, consist of one white line and one black line to differentiate them from the lighter concrete. UDOT said the stripes are embedded in the pavement so they won’t be easily scraped off by snowplows.

KSL previously reported several complaints from Utah drivers to Robert Miles, director of traffic safety for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). Miles said most UDOT lanes use the same lane marking technology used in other states. All of the lanes in Utah have small glass beads painted into the paint to reflect the light from drivers’ headlights.

However, Myers noted that the technology is imperfect and cannot withstand constant attacks from cars, snowplows and road salt.

“In winter, the reflectivity of these glass elements is slightly reduced due to salt residue,” he said, “and sometimes the markings wear off.”

In 2021, UDOT began testing 100 different pavement marking materials and technologies along Interstate 84 west of Tremonton. Tiger Tail pavement markings were also tested on Interstate 15 in the southern Salt Lake Valley and received positive feedback, UDOT said.

Last year, the Utah Legislature approved $6 million a year to improve lane markings on Utah roads. Despite Utah’s reputation for excellent snow removal, the results can be disastrous.

“Of course, over time, as snowplows clear the snow, they scrape off the paint, especially as it freezes and thaws, and the reflectivity of the paint deteriorates. It’s not permanent, so you’re going to have to do it more often,” Gov. Spencer Cox said.

UDOT said the $6 million is base funding for a $26 million pavement improvement project UDOT is currently implementing in Salt Lake County.

UDOT said crews are finishing up work on I-15 between Brigham City and Ogden and will begin work next week on U.S. 91 in Sardine Canyon. Crews also plan to install new lane markings on I-15, I-215, I-80 and SR-201 in Davis, Tooele and Summit counties by the end of the year.