Medford City Council calls for thermoplastic crosswalks

Crosswalks in Medford Square and around the city are fading as winter fades to spring. Councilors are asking the city to use thermoplastics in striping the crosswalks. 

It has become something of an annual tradition: Every year as winter turns to spring, the paint on Medford’s crosswalks begins to fade. And every year around that time, Councilor Michael Marks urges the city to use thermoplastic instead of traditional paint to mark those crosswalks.

Marks’ latest plea came last Tuesday, when the City Council unanimously called on Mayor Stephanie M. Burke to implement a policy to replace traditional paint with thermoplastic on all crosswalks in Medford.

“Every year this time of year, we’re faced with faded crosswalks,” Marks said. “In my opinion, thermoplastic is the way to go.”

Other communities such as Arlington, Cambridge and Boston, as well as the state of Massachusetts, utilize thermoplastic, a substance that becomes plastic upon heating and then solidifies when it cools.

Marks said the city’s method of repainting its crosswalks every year is evidently not working and is putting residents at risk. He estimated 70 to 80 percent of Medford’s crosswalks are currently fading.

Thermoplastic, Marks wrote in his resolution, is reflective and lasts much longer than paint.

“Thermoplastic is a highly reflective material which [lasts] up to five years, compared to the traditional paint which is hard to see and fades typically within one year,” his resolution reads. “Thermoplastic is more cost effective in the long run and provides residents with a safer crossing.”

According to a report from the Federal Highway Administration, paint costs between $0.03 and $0.05 per linear foot, while thermoplastic costs between $0.19 and $0.26 per linear foot.

But communities that use paint report they repaint crosswalks two to four times per year, whereas thermoplastic markings typically last two to three years.

At the same time, the report notes, the lifespan of thermoplastic is often shortened by snowplows. This problem can be mitigated if the proper techniques are used.

“Thermoplastic and preformed tape may not be appropriate in areas using snowplows unless the [markings] are inlaid in the pavement, which makes it less likely that a plow blade will pull the material off the street,” the report reads.

Resident Rachel Tanenhaus suggested using thermoplastic would not only be wise from a public safety standpoint, but also from a public health perspective by encouraging people to walk on Medford’s streets, and from a business perspective by making it easier to shop downtown.

“I think it would be a very cost effective investment in the city,” Tanenhaus said.

Council Vice President Breanna Lungo-Koehn said she hears complaints about fading crosswalks every winter.

“It’s almost a no-brainer,” Lungo-Koehn said.

The Federal Highway Administration report notes communities using paint markings typically use city crews and equipment to do the work, while thermoplastic marking is usually contracted out.

Marks pointed out former Mayor Michael J. McGlynn had about 60 crosswalks marked with thermoplastic in 2006, but argued a more systematic approach is needed.