The proposed McKinley Avenue interchange could be the first step toward easing congestion on the 120 Bypass.

Part of the project that essentially adds on and off ramps where the freeway crosses above McKinley Avenue also will involve putting in auxiliary lanes between McKinley Avenue and Airport Way. 

It also entails widening McKinley Avenue and adding bicycle lanes along with sidewalk at the undercrossing.

Caltrans is conducting a public hearing to seek input before they select the preferred design for the interchange. That hearing is set in the form of an open house on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Manteca Transit Center, 230 Moffat Blvd.

The interchange is needed to meet future traffic demands as dictated by growth patterns outlined in Manteca’s general plan.

It is considered a critical part of Manteca’s plan to develop a 205-acre family entertainment zone on city-owned land straddling Daniels Street along the 120 Bypass between Airport Way and McKinley Avenue. The project is proposed to be anchored by a 500-room Great Wolf Resort.

The city has $4 million leftover in redevelopment money for the interchange project. The final tab though is expected to be higher. The city has yet to indentify funding sources for the balance.

The city’s long range plan is to connect the proposed interchange with the envisioned Raymus Expressway interchange being proposed midway between Austin Road and Ripon on Highway 99.

The plan is to extend McKinley Avenue to the south and then curve it to the east to align with the future Raymus Expressway.

And while the interchange project being examined Aug, 13 doesn’t have a direct impact on the decision making process per se for the future alignment of McKinley Avenue, it is expected that most of the citizens what show up for the open house are those in rural Manteca south of the city that have reservations and apprehensions about McKinley’s future extension.