[GIS] erase one line layer by another line layer

Question

I keep on having this issue and I can't find the "perfect answer":

First of all, I work in ArcGIS 9.3.1.
I have 2 layers: roads1950, roads2000. I need to make a layer with roads which were built/changed between 1950-2000. The most perfect thing was to have a "erase-like" tool that would cut out the identical to roads1950 features in roads2000. The problem is that the erase tool only works with polygon layers. I could do a merge and sow out the doubles but it's a (very) long process and it isn't accurate.

Do you know of a tool/method that could help me ?

Answer 1

For the Erase tool, only the erase features must be polygons. Input features can be point, lines or polygons. How about buffering a few meters the roads2000 layer and using it as the erase features on the roads1950.
As a side note, in ArcGIS Desktop 10, erase features can be of any type.

Ref:

• http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=How%20Erase%20%28Analysis%29%20works
• http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//00080000000m000000.htm