Additional traffic signal coming to Church Road

By Mike Rauck

Intersection of Church Road and Fairview Vista Drive

The Bowie City Council allocated $250,000 this week to pay half the cost of a new traffic signal to be installed at the intersection of Church Road and Fairview Vista Drive.  The county will fund the other half.

It's not yet known when the traffic signal will be installed.

The Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) wouldn’t grant some permits for the construction of the new Bowie Ice Arena without funding for the traffic signal.

According to a memo to the Bowie City Council from City Manager Al Lott, DPIE waived requirements for other road improvements associated with the project in exchange for the traffic signal.

Area residents voiced concerns in recent months about the speed and volume of traffic on Church Road in the wake of the death of fourteen-year-old Kamal Nashid. Nashid was struck and killed by a car last June while crossing Church Road at Fairview Vista Drive – the location of the future traffic signal.

Legislation is currently being considered in the 2020 Maryland General Assembly Session that would allow a speed monitoring system to operate along a 2.5 mile stretch of Church Road between Old Stage Road and Dunwood Valley Drive.  That stretch of Church Road includes the intersection with Fairview Vista Drive.