A woman is in critical condition after being struck while crossing North Main Street Saturday night.

The incident in the 700 block of North Main Street between Edison and Jason streets occurred at 8:19 p.m., according to the Manteca Police Department.

A police spokesperson said the driver stayed on scene. A department spokesman indicated the incident is not suspected to be criminal in nature at this this.

The accident happened roughly 24 minutes after sunset.

The stretch of North Main Street between Jason and Edison streets is the deadliest area for pedestrians in Manteca.

 It is where a 55-year-old man was killed crossing the four-lane arterial in November of 2017 and a 67-year-old woman was killed in December of 2016.

There have been other car-pedestrian accidents.

Included among those was a March 2019 accident when two teens were more than halfway across Main when they were struck by a northbound sedan traveling in the outside lane.

A bicyclist was killed almost a block to the south near Alameda Street.

In addition, there have been several traffic fatalities as well just north of Edison. There were solo accidents that speed was considered a contributing factor.

 Manteca — during the adoption of its traffic calming program in 2019 — heard from traffic engineers and law enforcement alike that wide streets such as North Main tend to encourage higher speeds. As such, it makes it perilous for pedestrians crossing the street as well as motorists turning off and on Main Street.

It consists of four wide travel lanes, a continuous left turn lane, and no medians save for separating the turn lanes on Main Street at Louise Avenue.

There is also a long stretches — such as between Edison and Louise — where there are no intersections with traffic signals.

It is why the city has secured $1.9 million in funding for safety improvements on target to start later this year between Alameda Street and Louise Avenue.

They will include:

*A median with fencing to stop pedestrians from crossing mid-block.

*The same median would eliminate left turns in and out at will from various commercial driveways.

*Installing a high profile crosswalk with flashing warning lights at Edison Street.

*Adding bike lanes with the newer solid green markings.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin