The Transportation and Circulation Chapter addresses the City’s major road system, local street patterns, air facilities, bus and rail transit, and bicycle and pedestrian ways. The goal is to identify the most effective ways to plan for circulation while enhancing the community and protecting the environment.
The goals and policies presented here are intended to coordinate circulation with land use by concentrating higher residential densities and major trip destinations in the vicinity of major roadways and public transit corridors.
a comprehensive system of arterial streets in a one mile grid system;
an upgraded Highway 59 to serve as a beltway or "ring-road" to carry cross-town traffic around established portions of the community;
a major transit corridor (M Street) designated along the central core of the entire City; and,
an expanded off-street bike path system along the City’s creeks linking together open space areas, employment centers, and residential neighborhoods.
Ultimate build out of the City’s SUDP will require significant public improvements to the circulation system in order to maintain an acceptable level-of-service. These improvements include new highway interchanges and upgrades to existing interchanges, about 60 miles of new or improved major streets, some separated-grade railroad crossings, and numerous new bridges and traffic signals. How to finance this needed infrastructure is one of the critical issues facing the community as it grows.
Goals and policies in this chapter promote major streets, which are designed to maximize efficiency, and local streets designed to provide access for neighborhood destinations, minimize unnecessary travel demands on major streets, and minimize impacts on the environment. Alternative modes of transportation (bicycles, transit, walking) are also promoted through the provision of adequate facilities and the design of new developments that minimize barriers to their use. Adequate passenger rail and air service are also an important aspect of the City’s circulation system.
Several important circulation issues will require further study after the adoption of the General Plan, including access to the UC campus, the location of beltways, upgrading Highway 99 through the City, expanding the off-street bicycle system in South Merced, and financing circulation infrastructure.
Other highlights of the Transportation and Circulation Chapter include:
Descriptions of the current and planned transportation systems, including regional and local streets and highways, transit services, bicycle facilities, rail and air service, and pedestrian facilities;
Characteristics, design standards, and cross-sections for the different categories of streets (arterials, collectors, etc.); and,
A table summarizing the current and projected levels-of-service for roadways throughout the City.
Chapter 4--Transportation & Circulation
Goal Area T-1: Streets & Roads
GOALS
An Integrated Road System that is Safe and Efficient
A Circulation System that is Convenient and Flexible
A Circulation System that Minimizes Adverse Impacts upon the Community
POLICIES
T-1.1 Design streets consistent with circulation function and affected land uses.
T-1.2 Coordinate circulation and transportation planning with pertinent regional, state, and federal agencies.
T-1.3 Design major roads to maximize efficiency.
T-1.4 Promote traffic safety.
T-1.5 Minimize unnecessary travel demand on major streets.
T-1.6 Minimize adverse impacts on the environment from existing and proposed road systems.
T-1.7 Minimize street system impacts on residential neighborhoods and other sensitive land uses.
T-1.8 Use a minimum peak hour level-of-service (LOS) "D" as a design objective for all new streets in new growth areas and for most existing City streets except under special circumstances.
Goal Area T-2: Alternative Transportation
GOALS
An Efficient and Comprehensive Public Transit System
A Comprehensive System of Safe and Convenient Bicycle Routes (Within the Community and Throughout the Urban Area)
A Comprehensive System of Safe and Convenient Pedestrian ways
POLICIES
T-2.1 Provide for and maintain a major transit way along "M" Street and possibly Bellevue Road.
T-2.2 Support and enhance the use of public transit.
T-2.3 Support a safe and effective public transit system.
T-2.4 Encourage the use of bicycles as alternative transportation.
T-2.5 Provide convenient bicycle support facilities to encourage bicycle use.
T-2.6 Maintain and expand the community’s existing bicycle circulation system.
T-2.7 Maintain a pedestrian-friendly environment.
T-2.8 Improve planning for pedestrians.
T-2.9 Ensure that new development provides the facilities and programs that improve the effectiveness of Transportation Control Measures and Congestion Management Programs.
Goal Area T-3: Air & Rail Service
GOAL
Air and Rail Systems that Provide Safe and Convenient Service to the Community
POLICIES
AIR
T-3.1 Preserve the municipal airport and its protective zones from incompatible encroachment.
T-3.2 Promote and encourage the orderly and timely development of commercial and general aviation facilities.
T-3.3 Provide adequate ground transportation systems that complement air transportation facilities.
RAIL
T-3.4 Reduce rail system impacts on the road system within the urban area.
T-3.5 Support enhanced railroad passenger service to Merced.
T-3.6 Retain and expand as needed rail facilities serving industrial development
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a comprehensive system of arterial streets in a one mile grid system; 
an upgraded Highway 59 to serve as a beltway or "ring-road" to carry cross-town traffic around established portions of the community; 
a major transit corridor (M Street) designated along the central core of the entire City; and, 
an expanded off-street bike path system along the City’s creeks linking together open space areas, employment centers, and residential neighborhoods.
Descriptions of the current and planned transportation systems, including regional and local streets and highways, transit services, bicycle facilities, rail and air service, and pedestrian facilities;
