Woodward Avenue between Moffat Boulevard and Atherton Drive — closed in late August originally for a month — still has not reopened.

Change orders during the work caused the initial delays.

The last issue apparently involves a private gas line that there was no record of when work started.

It has impeded efforts to install all of the traffic signals at the new intersection of Woodward Avenue with Moffat.

That said, once the unexpected issues are resolved and the section of Woodward reopens, southeast Manteca will have a more muscular, more efficient, and safer traffic circulation.

Woodward now has four lanes that T-intersects into Moffat with median improvements similar to what is now at Industrial Park Drive (Spreckels Avenue) at Moffat.

Before, it was two lanes at a nearly 45-degree angle with a stop sign for Woodward and none for Moffat.

 The work is part of the first phase of the 120 Bypass/Highway 99 connector project that the San Joaquin Council of Governments is coordinating.

The first phase also includes a four-lane replacement bridge for the Austin Road interchange on Highway 99 and a second southbound transition lane to Highway 99 from the eastbound 120 Bypass.

Once the bridge is opened in 2027, those exiting northbound Highway 99 at Austin Road will use an overpass to clear both the freeway and the railroad tracks.

They will turn right on a new street after they cross the bridge.

That road — Singh Street — will take them to Atherton Drive.

The project also included traffic signals at Woodward and Atherton by the fire station.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com