It didn’t take drivers long to get frustrated with stopped trains sidelined to allow another train to pass that block the upgraded Woodward Avenue crossing.

The trains — that can often block the crossing for 15 to 25 minutes — have been a problem since 1998 when the first tract homes were built in southeast Manteca generating more traffic on Woodward Avenue trying to reach Moffat Boulevard.

Before the segment of Woodward between Moffat and Atherton was closed to allow a realignment and to widen the street to four lanes, drivers blocked by a stopped train would make a U-turn across the vehicle free westbound lane that involved making part of the turn on the northern shoulder, and take an alternate route.

It’s impossible to do so now given the widening included creating a continuous landscaped median from Atherton to Moffat except for where it crosses the tracks.

Mayor Gary Singh said city engineers are looking at creating a break — or breaks — in the median for the purpose of allowing U-turns when the railroad crossing is blocked.

It would not create a danger given there is no oncoming traffic as the train prevents westbound traffic from crossing the tracks.

The city is trying to determine the most effective and safest place to remove a section of the median.

A similar problem occurs at the Industrial Park Drive crossing.

What happens when a train blocks the tracks, traffic heading north on Industrial Park Drive will make a U-turn and head to Main Street — which has one siding track and only the main track — to cross the railroad.

Traffic stuck on Van Ryn Avenue originally headed north to Industrial Park Drive will turn left instead to make the detour as well to the Main Street crossing.

Sometime — depending on the backup — those trapped between the crossing arms and Van Ryn will try to back up to the Van Ryn and Industrial intersection to make a U turn as well.

There is no timetable yet for the modification to the Woodward median.

The Woodward widening and median was not a city project.

It was done as part of the Highway 99/120 Bypass Connector Project first phase that included the replacement Austin Road overcrossing.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com