ABC27 WHTM PennDOT: Single yellow lines will soon be double or nothing

PennDOT: Single yellow lines will soon be double or nothing

If you drive through townships like South Newton in Cumberland County, you will notice single yellow lines on many back roads. Those lane dividers will eventually be double or nothing.

PennDOT spokesperson Mike Crochunis said as the paint fades, townships will either have to replace the lines with double yellow lines or not be reimbursed at all.

Crochunis explained that's because single yellow lines have no meaning in terms of traffic control.

Township officials said this poses a challenge. Laura Portillo of Dickinson Township said many roads are too narrow for double yellow lines.

"A lot of these roads are rural and you just can't do double yellow," she said.

PennDOT officials said the issue comes down to safety and compliance. With a single yellow line, they said violations such as passing would be impossible to enforce since there aren't set rules.

"It presents a safety issue, but having a single yellow line would present a conflict of 'what does it mean?'" Crochunis said. "Anything that would present that question is definitely not anything that the township nor PennDOT would want to be a part of."

Although they are not recognized by officials, some say single yellow lines do serve a purpose.

"It's safer than no line at all," Portillo said.