Traffic signals at Union Road and Daniels Street are on Mayor Gary Singh’s to do list for future Manteca projects.

It has been a problematic intersection for years.

And it will become more so if a submitted project for a Starbucks with drive through service plus in-line space for three commercial ventures such as mom-and-pop restaurants is built.

Addressing Union Road and Daniels traffic flow and safety issues comes after a lengthy process working with developers means Manteca next year will see traffic signals come to two other problematic intersections near the 120 Bypass — Atherton Drive and South Main Street as well as Woodward Avenue and South Main Street.

Singh, just like he did with Rotten Robbie’s that just opened on Airport Way and Wawona Street, wants to make sure the city uses new development to leverage needed traffic signals.

At Airport Way and Wawona the developer installed the signals. They paid their fair share and will be reimbursed as development that impacts traffic flow at that intersection occurs in the coming years.

The Daniels Street/Union Road T-intersection is problematic due to:

*Sight line issues for traffic turning left or right from Daniels Street.

*It’s close proximity to the Union Road interchange with its diverging diamond design engineered for high traffic volumes as the city grows.

*The fact the Union Road fire station is immediately north of the intersection.

*The continued use of Daniels Street for many people seeking shortcuts from East Manteca to reach Costco and nearby shopping.

Over the years, there have been suggestions that were less than optimal to alter the intersection such as making it impossible to make a left hand turn from Daniels Street onto Union Road.

The city previously rejected a proposal for acreage immediately to the south of the fire station with several older structures.

That’s because it included a quick service restaurant with drive thru lane that had a queue lane that city planners indicated was way too short for the project, especially given the intersection, interchange, and fire station.

A repeat of the Chick-fil-A disaster on East Yosemite Avenue that had a drive through queue line back up traffic on Northwoods, Yosemite, and even the Highway 99 offramp before modifications were made would have serious public safety consequences.

The latest plan for the Union Road project has an on-site queue that is roughly three times longer than others in Manteca.

That makes a drive-thru window at the location essentially a non-issue.

At the same time, it would be prime location for Starbucks for quick 120 Bypass freeway on and off access.

Four the six existing Manteca Starbucks plus a seventh now under construction at South Main and Atherton are near freeway intersection changes.

Union Road, by far, would be the closest to a freeway plus it would also be the first right turn after clearing the overpass.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com