New stop sign at Luther Road, 22nd Street surprises drivers (2024)

A new four-way stop sign at the intersection of Luther Road and 22nd Street and the new Elkhorn Drive that was erected Monday, Aug. 12, caused dangerous situations on the key north-south thoroughfare during a 30-minute span of observation by the Tribune on Monday.

Officials with the City of Fremont posted news of the new stop sign on the city’s Facebook page late on Friday afternoon, Aug. 9, notifying residents that the new stop sign — which is tied to the new Deer Pointe Elementary School — would be in place on Aug. 12.

During a 30-minute period of time on Monday when a Tribune reporter observed the intersection, at least 12 drivers did not stop as required by law and sped through the intersection despite multiple warning signs in place leading up to the new four-way stop in each direction.

Another four to six vehicles slowed down as they approached the new stop signs, but did not come to a full stop and rolled through the intersection, which will be used by elementary age students beginning on Monday, Aug. 19.

Most drivers observed by the Tribune on Monday realized a new stop sign control was in place and did stop, with some drivers quizzically looking around before continuing to drive.

A local resident who lives near the intersection posted her observations of the new stop sign in a closed social media group, but asked not to be named in the Tribune, saying the new stop sign was causing issues for drivers.

“Heads up everyone that uses Luther Road. The four-way stop signs on 22nd (Street) and Luther (Road) are now in place. We have a good view of this intersection and probably 10% of the cars going through haven’t stopped,” the woman wrote online. “Many have had to slam on their brakes because who would expect a stop sign in that particular spot. Concerned that someone is going to get t-boned by someone going down Luther that doesn’t realize it’s a four-way stop. Not looking forward to the start of the school year. A traffic nightmare.”

The four-way stop sign has been planned for at least two years as part of the wider development of land south of 23rd Street and east of Luther Road, which includes commercial development, the new elementary school and a new residential homes neighborhood being planned.

That development included the construction of the new Elkhorn Drive, which was an extension of Elk Lane westward to Luther Road. That road has yet to open to vehicle traffic, but work on it is finished.

Fremont Public Schools Superintendent Mark Shepard said district and city officials are hoping for as safe an intersection as possible at the new four-way stop sign.

“The city worked with traffic safety engineers from the beginning of the expansion of the Deer Pointe subdivision. Their analysis led to the improvements on 23rd Street, sidewalk extensions, crosswalks, access to the subdivision and internal connections,” Shepard stated in an email. “The city placed the stop signs in place and took off the covers in an effort to alert vehicle traffic to the changes a week before school starts on Aug. 19.”

Shepard said district policy prohibits FPS from having crosswalk guards work the intersection, noting that if that was to occur, they would need to be hired by the City of Fremont. He also said having a traffic camera to catch violators is not possible from the district.

“The district’s liability insurance policy prohibits individuals from serving as crossing guards. Individuals directing traffic must be trained in traffic safety and authorized by the city,” he said. “We would not have authorization to set up a camera on property we do not own several blocks from our school site.”

City officials posted the news of the new four-way stop sign on Facebook several times since Friday with a warning to drivers. The posts were met with dozens of critical comments and forwarded almost 75 times in total by online accounts.

“Drive safe and stay alert. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” officials wrote.

On Monday, interim City Engineer Troy Schaben did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment on the new four-way stop sign.

In addition to the new four-way stop sign, city traffic engineers are asking the Fremont City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 13, to approve the relocation of a button-activated flashing pedestrian crossing light signal from by the former Clarmar Elementary School to the intersection of 19th Street and Luther Road.

The new school year is scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 19.