City Tests Four-Way Stop at Fifth and Front
Bismarck is trialing stop signs at Fifth Street and Front Avenue in place of a traffic signal installed in 1978.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in City Hall
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Bismarck is testing a four-way stop at Fifth Street and Front Avenue in place of a traffic signal. The city must decide whether to replace the signal or remove it permanently during next year's road construction.
Why it matters
The traffic signal has exceeded its expected lifespan, and traffic volume at the intersection does not meet federal criteria for a signal. A study indicated a four-way stop could reduce wait times and vehicle backups for Bismarck drivers.
The traffic signal at the intersection was installed in 1978 and has exceeded its expected lifespan. Traffic volume there does not meet federal criteria for a signal, and the permanent outcome will be determined after the trial and next year's construction.
The players
BNSF Railroad
BNSF Railway is a major freight railroad whose tracks run near the intersection, and the city is coordinating with the company to keep queued traffic off those tracks.
The details
The city is testing a four-way stop in place of the signal and will monitor crash data during the trial period. The city will coordinate with BNSF Railroad to prevent traffic from backing up onto nearby railroad tracks.
Timeline
1978: Traffic signal installed at Fifth Street and Front Avenue.
Several months: Four-way stop trial period runs.
Next year (2027): Road construction at the intersection and permanent decision on the signal.
Legal Context
Under federal traffic control standards, a signal must meet volume-based warrants before it is installed or kept in place. Bismarck's trial tests whether removing a signal that falls short of those warrants can improve traffic flow in the city.
Drivers at Fifth Street and Front Avenue may see stop signs replace the signal during the trial period. Residents should expect the permanent traffic setup to be settled as part of next year's road project.
The takeaway
Intersection control decisions depend on both traffic volume and signal age, so drivers should watch for the city's final choice after the trial. Checking the trial results will show how the four-way stop performs before the permanent decision.
What happens next
The city will decide whether to replace or permanently remove the signal during next year's road construction at the intersection.
Further reading
Follow local decisions like this one in the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kfyrtv.
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