Arguably the most dangerous stretch of pavement in Manteca for pedestrians will become safer in 2025.

It’s on North Main Street between Alameda Street and Northgate Drive.

The two key components of the endeavor to improve pedestrian safety are:

*A raised median with fencing to prevent pedestrians from crossing between intersections.

*The installation of a high Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon signal system at the Main Street intersection with Edison Street.

The median also will eliminate the ability to turn left across traffic between intersections from — or to — commercial driveways. Such turn movements have been a contributing factor in accidents between vehicles along that stretch of Main Street over the years.

The project also includes high-profile bicycle lanes to enhance bicycling safety.

The raised median, along with the bike lanes, are expected to help slow traffic speeds.

As it stands now, it is the longest and widest stretch of a four-lane arterial with turn lanes in Manteca.

It was originally built to carry four lanes of Highway 99 before the old state route reached downtown and then headed southeast on Moffat Boulevard to Ripon and beyond.

The width over the years has encouraged people to exceed the speed limit significantly after passing through downtown and the Alameda Street intersection.

There have been a number of serious traffic accidents north of Alameda Street including two solo crashes that ended up being fatalities in recent years.

The intersection at Edison has had multiple collisions between pedestrians who were near the middle of the crosswalk when struck.

Injuries have been significant over the years, including times when the pedestrian was struck hard enough they ended up slamming into the vehicles’ windshield.

The overall price tag — including other crosswalk upgrades and a slurry seal — is $3.4 million.

The Manteca City Council is being asked on Tuesday to award the bid so the work can be done in 2025.

The awarding of the bid will come just months after the city invested in excess of $5 million to improve Lathrop Road from Union Road to Highway 99 as well as Louise Avenue from Main Street to the Highway 99 overcrossing.

How the HAWK signal works:

*HAWK signals are traffic signals that allow pedestrians to cross the road safely. HAWK signals operate in a YELLOW–RED–FLASHING RED sequence to alert motorists that pedestrians need to cross the road. 

*Unlike traffic signals, the HAWK only operates when a pedestrian pushes the crossing button. Vehicles are free to move when no one is crossing the street.

*Motorists should respond to yellow and solid red lights in the same manner as any other traffic signal. After stopping for the red light, motorists may proceed through the crossing area during the flashing red light interval only when safe to do so without risk to pedestrians.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com