Congestion on northbound Airport Way between Woodward Avenue and the 120 Bypass has been eased somewhat thanks to a few gallons of paint.

Traffic had been backing up on northbound Airport Way at the traffic signals at the eastbound off ramps to the point that at times it almost reaches Woodward Avenue.

It often was getting to where it impacted the efficiency of the four-way stop at Atherton Drive and Airport Way.

The solution?

There was ample pavement to add a second northbound lane that — once it crosses Atherton Drive — becomes a right turn only lane for the 120 Bypass eastbound on ramp.

It isn’t taking a lot of traffic off the original through lane, but it has been enough to ease the back up toward Woodward Avenue.

The second lane starts south of Atherton Drive allowing two, instead of one, vehicles to clear the stop sign heading north at the same time.

The congestion issue was brought to the attention of the city’s Traffic Solutions Team put in place in 2022.

The committee meets twice a month and includes representatives from engineering, police, public works and the fire department.

They bring traffic related issues that their respective departments have encountered in Manteca as well as concerns forwarded by citizens through government outreach.

The goal is to improve traffic safety, reduce pedestrian injuries, and address congestion issues.

They discuss the problem, get input, brainstorm solutions, and analyze whether a proposed solution will work.

A solution typically can be reached in a meeting or two wedded with onsite observations.

The wok usually can be done in house with city crews.

As such, problems can be addressed and solutions put in place within months

Prior to the multi-department endeavor being formed, a request to add a crosswalk, put in place enhanced stop signs, or placing speed lumps would take months and more often stretch past a year or so before changes were implemented.

Last year, the Traffic Solutions Team completed over 30 projects that ranged from new stop signs and high visibility crosswalks, to traffic calming devices such as speed lumps.

Mayor Gary Singh noted it is part of the Manteca’s effort to streamline government and to make the city more responsive.

A few of the enhancements include the following:

*City traffic improvements such as flashing stop signs that increase visibility so people are more likely to stop. This also reduces right-angle crashes by alerting drivers of upcoming roadway changes, so they do not unintentionally run the stop sign.

* New high-visibility crosswalks ensure that pedestrians and drivers have safer access when crossing the street. These alert pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists to designated pedestrian crossing areas and help give drivers enough time to react to pedestrians on the road.

*Speed lumps have been placed on Hacienda Avenue, Daniels Street,  and North Walnut Avenue to slow traffic. The speed lump is a variation on the speed hump, adding two-wheel cut-outs designed to allow large vehicles, such as emergency vehicles and buses, to pass with minimal slowing.

*Yield lines, also called shark’s teeth or a give-way line, have been deployed to inform drivers of the point where they need to yield and give priority to the oncoming vehicle or pedestrian traffic at an intersection or roundabout controlled by a yield sign.

The committee is updating and adding pavement markings, yield limit lines, warning signs, red curbs, and street parking markings to decrease traffic accidents.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com