Two intersections are getting traffic signals in North Manteca.

Both are in close proximity to the existing signals at Union Road and Lathrop Road.

They are going at:

*The northernmost driveway to Union Road that will be created to access the proposed Tractor Supply Co. and Dutch Bros north of the CVS Drug Store.

*The western driveway to Lathrop Road from the Raley’s shopping center that the access driveway to the 136-unit Manteca Luxury Apartments has been aligned with.

It marks the first time in Manteca where signals have been placed at an intersection of a city street with the alignment of driveways servicing existing and future commercial developments and apartments as the “cross street.”

And that is the direct result of elected officials pushing to make it happen as a condition of development in a bid to enhance traffic safety.

Councilman Mike Morowit, who represents the district where the signals are being placed, noted one addresses an existing less than stellar situation and the other avoids creating future problems.

“It’s difficult now getting onto Lathrop Road (from Raley’s),” said Morowit as he indicated it will get worse with the apartments.

The alignment of the driveways was to avoid multiple egresses and ingresses on the busy Lathrop Road corridor.

The apartment developer is installing the traffic signals on their dime.

There are currently no driveway access points on Union where the signals will be placed by California Gold Development that is building the Tractor Supply and Dutch Bros.

The access was moved to the north so it will align with a driveway for future commercial when it develops on the northwest corner of the Lathrop/Union intersection.

Besides making for safer traffic movements, Morowit said traffic signals will enhance the walkability and pedestrian safety of resients from nearby neighborhoods — Del Webb, Union Ranch, and the Commons at Union Ranch — if they opt to walk to existing and future commercial establishments.

“They aren’t going to walk all the way to Lathrop and Union to cross at that signal,” Morowit said.

The goal is to prevent a situation being created where pedestrians cross the four lane Union Road that will likely end up as being the main aerial to serve the area to the north as Manteca expands to Lovelace Road and beyond.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabullletin.com