Neighbors along Midway Boulevard and surrounding streets are still dealing with a messy road striping job from the Ackerman Wastewater Expansion Project. After a paving project earlier this year, residents expected clean, precise lines, but instead, they were left with crooked, oversized, and sometimes confusing markings.
"It looks just like a yellow blob," said Tony Wisniewski, a resident who lives off Lake Worth Boulevard. "You can't see where to pass."
After hearing community concerns, WINK News reached out to Charlotte County Public Works Director John Elias for answers. In his 37 years in public works, Elias says he's never seen anything like this.
"This was kind of a first and kind of caught us off guard here, as far as how bad it looked," Elias said.
The problem stemmed from a malfunction in the paint gun, which caused overspray across the road. Elias explained, "It appears in this case, the paint gun was clogged, and it ended up doing overspray. So all that has to be removed and replaced."
Elias emphasized that the subcontractor responsible is one of the main striping companies in the region, experienced with work for counties, cities, and paving companies. "It's not like they were new or didn't understand the work they do," he said.
Residents can take comfort knowing the cost of repairs will not fall on taxpayers. The contractor is responsible for the fix, which could include options such as sand or water blasting, or, if necessary, grinding the asphalt and repaving the affected sections.
"There are some general things that people could do that we're probably not going to accept in this case," Elias said. "I won't know until the contractor actually submits what their proposal is to rectify the situation."
Safety remains a top concern. Elias reminds drivers that this section of Midway Boulevard is a double yellow line, meaning no passing, despite the irregular paint.
The county says crews are actively meeting to determine the best solution and timeline for repairs. Residents can expect a clear plan soon, and WINK News will continue following the story to report when the road will be properly striped.