Longer trucks will now be able to legally access the massive Union Pacific intermodal expansion now underway in northwest Manteca from Highway 99 using French Camp Road, Airport Way, and Roth Road.

The Manteca City Council last week adopted the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA) truck route.

It allows larger interstate trucks that are not allowed to use standard truck routes because they exceed the maximum length for California trucks.

The longer trucks require that intersections — such as the ones on Roth Road at both Intermodal Way and Airport Way — to have an adequate turn radius that avoid trucks striking curbs and traffic signals as well as be able to remain in their lane.

The STAA route signage is being paid for by the developer of the distribution facility for GBx beverages to allow longer trucks to access the concern on the southern end of Intermodal Way.

In doing so that means other concerns backing to Intermodal Way such as the Amazon fulfillment center, the 5.11 Tactial distribution center and the Penske logistics facility that serves Lowe’s Home Improvement will also be able to have longer trucks go to and from their respective facilities.

At the same time, it bridges a gap in the STAA route system by connecting French Camp Road and Roth Road west of Manteca’s city limits that are already designated for longer trucks.

It means trucks going to and from the UP intermodal facility as well as CenterPoint Business Park can now reach both Interstate 5 via Roth Road and Highway 99 via French Camp Road.

The STAA route directs truck traffic away from Airport Way south of Roth Road as the longer trucks are only allowed to head north on Airport Way.

The expansion underway of the UP intermodal facility onto 142 acres to the east of the railroad main line will create somewhat of a mirror of existing operations on the west side of those tracks.

It will bring the developed intermodal yard all the way to the western edge of Intermodal Way that connects with Roth.

The expansion of the intermodal yard is designed to serve Union Pacific customers in the greater San Francisco Metroplex of 18 million consumers.

Currently the UP intermodal facility can “lift” — remove and place truck trailers on specially designed railroad flat cars — on some 270,000 container a year. At build-out that number will reach 730,000 lifts.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com