What Happened to the 11th Street Stop Sign?

Traffic is flowing at bit differently in Old Town Bowie these days with the recent removal of some supplemental street signs by the State Highway Administration.

A supplemental sign reading “Do not stop to turn right” beneath the stop sign at the westbound intersection of 11th street at Rt. 564 just prior to the railroad bridge is no more. The supplemental stop sign on the stop sign on the opposite approach that indicated approaching traffic could turn right without stopping has also been removed.

“It has caused a lot of confusion since some people stop, others go, and others honk,” wrote one Patch user in an email.

According to a status report by City Manager David Deutsch the sign on the westbound approach was lost or stolen and when SHA went out to investigate the situation, the removed the eastbound sign.

“They determined that both signs are 'non-standard' as they are not listed in the State or Federal Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD),” wrote Deutsch in his report.

SHA said they know that the community uses the signs, but there were concerns the signs could not be defended in legal situations, according to Deutsch, and that SHA is “almost certain” it will not rehang the supplemental signs.

“They will be doing a study after schools begin to better understand traffic control at this intersection,” reported Deutsch.

For now, SHA has committed to installing larger stop signs—both eastbound and westbound—in addition to a new “Stop Ahead” warning sign in along the westbound direction.

Deutsch said the city will inform residents if SHA opts to reinstall the supplemental sign but called the likelihood of such a situation occurring “unlikely.”