Airport Way six years ago was primarily a commuter route on Manteca’s western edge.

Today traffic is steady throughout the day and early evening especially between Daniels Street and Yosemite Avenue thanks to the opening of the Stadium Retail Center, Costco, and the Big League Dreams sports complex.

And with 3.1 million square feet of distribution planned in the CenterPoint project west of Airport Way and north of Lathrop Road, Airport Way will have additional traffic from an estimated 600 workers plus truck movements.

The City of Manteca is taking the first step toward increasing traffic volume and safety along the Airport Way corridor.  Staff is preparing plans for a $1.9 million project to secure the right-of-way and to add a continuous left turn lane between Daniels Street and Yosemite Avenue possibly as early as 2014.

The city already has Measure K sales tax funds set aside to pay for the project.

It is the initial phase for Airport Way upgrades that ultimately will see the roadway with six travel lanes from Daniels Street to Yosemite Avenue and four travel lanes north of Yosemite Avenue.

The Airport Way corridor has been identified as a regional route. It runs from the San Joaquin River south of Manteca up to the Stockton Metro Airport and its adjoining business parks before ending up in downtown Stockton.

The section south of Yosemite Avenue is lined with houses, primarily rentals. Much of the property is zoned for light industrial and similar uses.

The city envisions business parks along the stretch targeted for the left turn lane work as well as straddling Milo Candini Drive that runs parallel to the west and fronts the sports complex. That street ultimately will be extended to Yosemite Avenue.