Cranston: 1/3 of illegal signs from DOT

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - Some of the hundreds of stop signs installed illegally across Cranston came from the Department of Transportation, city officials said Monday. However, a majority of them are still unaccounted for.

A city investigation found nearly 700 stop signs had been put up without proper approval. The results of the investigation were released last week.

City officials discovered Monday that the Department of Transportation had installed about one-third of the unauthorized signs. Robin Schutt, a spokeswoman for the Mayor's Office, said the DOT put up the signs at the entrance to state roads.

"There is a state statute that says when you reach a state right-of-way, you have to stop before you enter, regardless if there is a sign or not," Schutt said.

The DOT would not comment Monday night on the situation, saying it did not know the location of every stop sign.

City officials said Monday that they are still trying to determine who installed the remaining two-thirds of the illegal signs. They believe they may have been put up by city public works, or by residents.

The Mayor's Office said drivers should still obey all stop signs in the city.