The streets of Manteca are changing in 2025.

Not only are five intersections having red light cameras installed but two major roundabouts on four-lane arterials are likely to be constructed in addition to traffic signals being installed at four major intersections.

Three of the four intersections that will have traffic signals are on the Airport Way corridor where the arterial intersects with Wawona Street, Atherton Drive, and Woodward Avenue.

The one at Atherton and Airport is noteworthy as it is the first time a residential developer has been required to install traffic signals before they can sell a home.

It is being installed by the developers of the 827-home Lumina at Machado Ranch neighborhood on the southeast corner of that intersection. Work has already started on grading the subdivision site.

The other traffic lights expected to be installed during 2025 at a major intersection are at Woodward Avenue and South Main Street.

The game changers in terms of motorists adjusting how they drive will come with two new roundabouts on major arterials and the red light cameras.

The roundabouts are going in at South Main and Raymus Parkway as well as on Airport Way midway between Woodward Avenue and Peach Avenue.

Manteca already has one roundabout on a four-lane arterial — Louise Avenue at Felice Way between Cottage Avenue and the Highway 120 crossing.

The South Main/Raymus roundabout, though, will be first involving what ultimately will be two four-lane arterials.

The basic functional design will be similar to the roundabout on four-lane 11th Street just west of Interstate 5 where it intersects with West Gantline Road/Kasson Road on the way to Tracy.

The city has also required developers to install a roundabout on West Yosemite Avenue at Fishback Road just west of Kaiser Hospital. Projects requiring that roundabout have been approved but are not currently in the permitting process.

Caltrans is also pursuing roundabouts in the greater Manteca area.

The state is looking at building one at Murphy Road and East Highway 120 roughly midway between Manteca and Escalon.

Roundabouts are gaining in usage for a number of reasons. 

*They slow traffic down.

*They keep traffic moving.

*They reduce air pollution from idling vehicles.

*They make it easier to cross streets and enhance safety near schools and parks

*They discourage through traffic in neighborhoods.

*They avoid traffic signals that can cost as much as $800,000 per intersection.

*They also reduce the severity of accidents.

The roundabouts already in place reflect three different strategies. 

*The ones in neighborhoods south of the 120 Bypass are designed to slow traffic down near schools and parks that have heavy foot traffic. 

*The acre roundabout on Buena Vista Drive is designed to discourage future through traffic from the between Atherton Drive and  Woodward Avenue once Buena Vista is linked to Atherton.

*The Louise Avenue roundabout eliminated the need for traffic signals to access the 400 plus homes in the Collection and significantly reduce the potential for traffic congestion on Louise between the freeway and Cottage Avenue.

The use of roundabouts allows the city to keep traffic moving while slowing it down enough to allow access from connector streets.

Roundabouts also help meet a mandate of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to reduce vehicle idling. 

The more time vehicles have to stop at traffic signals or stop signs, the less efficiently they burn carbon-based fuel which in turn impacts air quality. Idling vehicles are a major source of valley air pollution.

Redlight cameras

Redlight cameras are now in the process of being installed.

The intersections receiving red light cameras are:

*Northgate Drive at North Main Street.

*Main Street at Louise Avenue.

*Yosemite Avenue at Union Road.

*Daniels Street at Airport Way.

*Yosemite Avenue at Commerce Drive-Northwoods Avenue.

The first three intersections listed will have redlight cameras operating on Jan. 6 or shortly thereafter.

That will start a 30-day grace period where red light violators are issued warnings. After that, red light runners will receive $490 tickets.

Red light running is the main factor in almost 20 percent of the 1,000 plus annual traffic collisions in Manteca.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com