The traffic signal installed on North Main Street at Jason Street was intended primarily as part of a plan to create a safe route for students to go to and from Golden West School.

It is also working to significantly reduce congestion on southbound Main when the school day ends at the elementary campus.

Over a 20-minute period Thursday afternoon, no less than two dozen parents used the crosswalk at the new traffic signal to go to the campus — or from it — with their children.

Instead of waiting in line to enter the school parking lot drop-off and pick-up zone that backed up vehicles onto Main Street and stymied traffic flow, many were parking along Jason Street or in the parking lot anchored by California Total Fitness and crossing Main at Jason on foot.

Prior to the signal being put in place, it was such a dangerous move to cross Main Street that the school district dissuaded the city from putting a crosswalk in place at that location.

The new signal makes it safe not only for students going to and from home on foot from east of Main Street but also for parents picking up students.

That is especially true working in concert with the medians and accompanying wrought iron fencing designed to deter mid-block pedestrian crossings on the 40 mph, four lane arterial. It also effectively eliminates those making left turns driving a long distance down the middle lane.

Manteca Unified Assistant Superintendent Victoria Brunn noted they have been able to partner with the city to successfully address traffic congestion and student safety at Golden West School.

Further down Main at its intersection with Center, another “small tweak” is also paying dividends.

The city earlier this month installed left turn signals from Main to Center that after being green will allow left turns on a flashing yellow if it is safe to do so in terms of oncoming traffic.

A 10-minute stretch at that spot saw nine drivers take advantage of the flashing yellow to allow for improved traffic flow.

Upcoming improvements at

Golden West parking lot

Manteca Unified is getting ready to double the roughly 60-space parking lot in front of Golden West School by extending it southward into a grassy area.

The city — in coordination with the school district — put in place the curb cut for that driveway when they did sidewalk work along the North Main corridor.

The project will also increase the length of the student drop off zone.

The current southern driveway will be blocked when the new exit is completed.

The district has an optional project they are considering that would add a separate faculty parking lot to the south of the gym.

Aaron Bowers, who oversee facilities and maintenance for MUSD, said the district will explore possibly adjusting access to the new crosswalk at Jason Street by removing a section of the concrete curbing for the parking lot and installing sidewalk to connect to the street sidewalk.

All of the parents and students accessing the crosswalk on Thursday were stepping over the curb and transversing a short segment of sloped dirt to reach the crosswalk.

Such an improvement would address potentially slipping issues in wet weather and would make it more accessible for the handicapped who now — instead of following a direct path — have to go dozens of yards out of their way to reach the crosswalk.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com