What Those New Orange Lines On The Freeway Mean To You

SAN DIEGO, CA — A new way to get drivers to slow down in construction zones is being tested in San Diego County. Although the pilot program is only being tested in the San Diego area, it could eventually expand throughout the state.

Orange contrasted lane striping is being used on Interstate 5 for the Caltrans and SANDAG North Coast Corridor Project, also known as Build NCC, which includes widening I-5 and a variety of other improvements in communities along the freeway.

Currently, orange striping is used on I-5 between Poinsettia Lane in Carlsbad and state Route 78 in Oceanside, according to Caltrans. Last year, it was used on lanes just south of the area.

"It is the first in the state of California to use orange contrasted striping on a major freeway construction project," Caltrans spokesperson Steve Welborn told Patch.

The orange striping is designed to increase awareness of the construction zone and enhance safety for drivers and work crews.

According to the agency's public opinion surveys, the program has increased awareness of being in a road construction work zone, caused drivers to drive at a more safe speed, made it easier to stay in lanes than traditional white striping, and improved visibility at night and during rainy or foggy conditions.

"Preliminary survey data finds that 81.09% of drivers would like to see the orange striping used more widely," Welborn said in an email to Patch.

Recent survey data shows that approximately 83.18% of road users who traveled in the orange striping experienced increased awareness of being in a construction zone, Welborn said. According to the data, 72.59% of drivers slowed down after seeing the orange striping, 74.88% found the striping easier to see at night, and 77.49% found that the striping easier to see in rainy or foggy conditions.

Welborn said the striping will remain in the active construction zone until the project is completed in early 2025.

"Continued use is to be determined, but our goal is to implement this as a standard practice throughout the state," he said.