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Ever since the Minnesota Department of Transportation finished resurfacing Interstate 394 west of Hwy. 100, a number of Drive readers have commented on the lack of lines on the freeway and that those that have been put down are extremely hard to see.

"The striping that has been applied to newly resurfaced 394 is abysmal - the striping is practically invisible when viewed facing the sun or whenever the surface is wet," wrote Bernie in an email. "Is this striping just temporary,or is it a new paint compound? If the latter, it is an abject failure."

Another Drive reader, Bruce, has noticed that the double white lines that formerly separated the general purpose lanes from the MnPass express lane have all but disappeared. The lanes are separated only with intermittent double skip stripes, and that raised concerns that motorists will think it means they can cross into and out of the high occupancy toll lane at will.

"Unfortunately, this behavior will become ingrained into the drivers and, when MnDOT does finally restripe appropriately, there will most likely be even more violators crossing the double white than there were in the past. I seemed to have noticed one or two on most every drive into the city," Bruce said. "When is MnDOT going to put down the true lane lines for the HOT lane?"

Well, there is good news for Bernie, Bruce and thousands of I-394 drivers. MnDOT crews were on the job Monday night replacing the temporary lane markers put down after the resurfacing project with new permanent lane lines on eastbound 394 between I-494 and Hwy. 100.

MnDOT spokeswoman Bobbie Dahlke tells the Drive that if dry conditions continue, crews anticipate finishing the paint job all along 394 by Friday evening. If it rains overnight then that will get pushed into next week, she said.