Street Name Signs

The Winston-Salem Department of Transportation (WSDOT) maintains all street name signs within the city limits.

Street name signs are made to retro-reflect a driver's headlights, so they appear to shine at night. Retro-reflection means the sign reflects light directly back to the oncoming vehicle, rather than allowing it to scatter into the darkness. This is done using special plastics for the face of the signs, containing millions of glass beads or prisms.

Several years ago, the city changed from six-inch to nine-inch tall street name signs with white borders. WSDOT did this to increase the sign's visibility for older drivers and to provide better indicators of intersection locations. These new signs are installed at existing locations as the old signs wear out.

Developers of residential properties are responsible for the cost of the initial installation of street name signs in their developments. The WSDOT installs and maintains all standard street name signs. Any problems with the street name signs should be reported to the Traffic Maintenance Shop at (336)727-2999. You may also e-mail Dale Hester at daleh@cityofws.org.