Work starts May 2 on a $3 million safety, paving, and water line project on West Yosemite Avenue between Walnut Avenue and Main Street.

Construction will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September.

Yosemite Avenue will remain open with temporary traffic control in place.

Work will include:

*high-profile bicycle lanes.

*updating American with Disabilities curb ramps to current standards.

*installing new signs and pole foundations.

*new signage and stripping.

*new rectangular rapid flashing beacon system at various crosswalks.

The flashing beacon, a pedestrian-activated traffic control device featuring two rectangular, yellow LED lights that flash at a high frequency to boost driver awareness of pedestrians at uncontrolled crossings.

Federal Highway Administration research indicates they significantly increase driver yielding rates up to 98%.

Before road work starts, the aging Yosemite Avenue water line will be replaced.

Some segments are in excess of 100 years in age and are undersized for development that has occurred over the years.

The next project will be a 3-inch grind and pavement overlay.

The city waited to do the safety work so all the needed improvements could be done without having to tear up the pavement repeatedly.

Monthly water charges are paying for the water line replacement work that was factored into the recent user rate increases.

When the work is completed, Yosemite Avenue between Walnut Avenue and Spreckels Avenue will have been improved in the last five years.

The city has identified addressing pavement issues on Yosemite between Airport Way and city limits with Lathrop as an upcoming project.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com