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The painted lines on Ottawa roads could get better if council approves more spending by the transportation department to keep the markings visible.

It will cost about $3.7 million more for the city each year to maintain the road-marking standards, plus a one-time injection of $1.6 million to buy new equipment, if council agrees with an enhanced program recommended by staff.

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In a report published ahead of a transportation committee meeting on May 1, city staff are proposing to improve the road markings, helping cars and bikes properly between the lines.

Councillors have called into question the condition of road markings, which are especially rough this time of year after months of snow clearing.

The city prepares to hit the roads in April each year to touch up pavement markings. The work lasts through to November but ultimately depends on the weather. The city’s policy calls for pavement markings to be reapplied once a year, except for stop bars and crosswalks at signalized intersections, which are done twice a year.