The California Street Safety Project is Complete!

The California Street Safety Project is Complete!
By Erin McMillan

You may have already noticed the fresh paint and new lane configuration on California Street from Arguello Boulevard to Park Presidio. This recently completed ‘road diet’ painted on California Street changed the lane configuration from four lanes to three with a center turn lane to help improve safety along the corridor. 

California Street and 10th Avenue post-construction

This was the final safety element to be implemented as part of the California Street Safety Project, which began earlier this year with “daylighting” to increase visibility at intersections.  

Why a road diet on California? 

California Street is part of the city’s Vision Zero high-injury network -- the 13% of city streets that account for 75% of severe and fatal collisions. 

This section of California had 73 injury collisions in five years with 7 involving pedestrians. In addition, there have been 35 Muni-involved collisions, many due to narrow lanes. 

• Road diets reduce speeding and risk of collision by reducing the number of lanes 
• Wider lanes provide room for safer operation of Muni vehicles 
• A separate turn lane allows turning traffic to be separate from traveling traffic  
• Fulton Street: Road diet reduced collisions by over 40%  
• 25th Avenue: Road diet reduced collisions by 20%   

Earlier this year, several safety elements for pedestrians were installed, including:   

• Daylighting: Red painted curbs at intersection approaches to improve visibility for all road users 
• Higher visibility zebra-striped continental crosswalks 
• Updated pavement markings 

Construction crews working at California Street and Sixth Avenue pre-construction

Starting this fall summer, we’ll begin the evaluation of the project. The evaluation will include traffic and street-level data, such as tracking changes in collisions, traffic volumes on California and side streets, and driving behavior. In addition to traffic and street-level data collection, we’ll be collecting experiential feedback from neighbors via email. Given the impacts of COVID-19, we’ll also be waiting to collect some post-implementation data until the city’s traffic returns to pre-COVID levels. 

We also received extensive feedback during project outreach in 2019 and will be using that input to shape our evaluation and monitoring of the project. Thank you to everyone who chimed in on this important project and we that will improve the area for years to come. 

To learn more, visit www.SFMTA.com/CaliforniaSafety. Want to give your feedback on any element of the California Street Safety Project? Email us at CaliforniaSafety@SFMTA.com. 

 

Published August 14, 2020 at 12:31AM
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Making Accessible Transfers for Muni Metro Beginning August 22

Making Accessible Transfers for Muni Metro Beginning August 22
By Mariana Maguire

Photo: Accessible Muni Metro boarding platform placard

In preparation for new temporary LK Taraval-Ingleside and J Church transfers, we are constructing temporary accessible curbside platforms and temporary transfer zones. These changes will support safe and accessible customer movement between Metro lines when Muni Metro returns on August 22.

These new transfers to and from the subway for customers traveling to or from downtown will be required when the L Taraval and K Ingleside are temporarily combined into a new surface-only LK Taraval-Ingleside route between the SF Zoo and Balboa Park. Similarly, the J Church will become a surface-only route that will turn back at Church and Market streets. While we expect these changes to significantly increase the reliability of rail service, these changes require new infrastructure to make transfers accessible.

Many of our customers with disabilities rely on transit. While the temporary changes to Muni Metro will bring significant benefits to the entire system, especially for customers traveling through the subway, these additional transfers may also present new challenges for some customers. Temporary accessible boarding platforms are critical to supporting our customers with mobility devices, people with strollers, and others who may have difficulty boarding using stairs.

Photo: Example of a temporary accessible boarding ramp

West Portal LK Transfer Project

Diagram: New LK Taraval-Ingleside transfer at West Portal. Note the L Owl and 48 Quintara-24th will share a bus stop near the new train stop.

LK Taraval-Ingleside customers headed downtown will need to transfer at West Portal. The West Portal LK Transfer Project plans to build accessible curbside boarding platforms on Ulloa Street between West Portal Avenue and Wawona Street for the new LK Taraval-Ingleside stops, as well as implement several other street changes near West Portal Station to better accommodate customers transferring to and from West Portal station at these intersections.

LK Taraval-Ingleside trains heading both eastbound toward Balboa Park and westbound toward SF Zoo will stop on Ulloa Street near West Portal Station to let able-bodied customers board or get off. The train will then advance to the new temporary accessible curbside platforms to drop off and pick up customers with mobility devices, strollers, and others who may have difficulty boarding using stairs.

Customers continuing downtown can enter West Portal Station to board the S Shuttle or TM Third-Ocean View. Note that S Shuttle will use the inbound platform for both boarding and alighting.

Click on the animation below to see how this new configuration will work for customers.

Animation: LK Taraval-Ingleside transfer point at West Portal

Another option for customers on the LK Taraval-Ingleside coming from Balboa Park is to transfer to the TM Third-Ocean View using the existing accessible stop at St. Francis Circle and continue downtown on the TM Third-Ocean View line without needing to change trains again at West Portal.

Wayfinding signs will be posted at the new LK stops and at West Portal Station to help customers navigate this change. We will also post Muni Ambassadors in the area for several days to help direct customers.

Image: Artist rendering of new LK Taraval-Ingleside wayfinding signage that will be installed at West Portal

 

J Church Transfer Improvement Project

Diagram: New J Church transfer at Church and Market streets

Starting August 22, the last inbound stop for the J Church will be on Church Street at Market Street, near Church Street Station. J Church customers will need to transfer to Church Street Station for downtown service. These customers can catch the new, subway-only S Shuttles or the new combined TM Third-Oceanview from Church Street Station. Trains will not cross Market street but instead turn back toward Balboa Park Station.

To facilitate the turn-around, we will install a temporary emergency transit zone on Church Street between Market and 15th streets. This allows J Church passengers to use the existing accessible platform to connect with the subway for both inbound and outbound trips. This transit zone limits traffic to ensure a safer boarding process for J Church customers and to limit conflicts with the train turning maneuvers.

For customers heading inbound toward downtown, J Church trains will stop on Church Street at Market Street to let customers with mobility devices, strollers, and others who may have difficulty boarding using stairs board at the existing accessible platform south of Market Street. The train will then pull forward for customers who do not need accessible boarding. This follows the same process as usual at this stop.

Customers continuing downtown who need to use the elevator to access Church Station can cross Church Street heading west and then cross Market Street heading north. The Church Station elevator is located on the northwest corner of Market Street and Church Street. Customers can also access Church Street Station via escalator on either the southwest or northwest side of Market Street.

Click on the animation below to see how this new configuration will work for customers.

Animation: J Church transfer point at Church and Market streets

Just like the new temporary LK Taraval-Ingleside, the temporary J Church will feature wayfinding signage and Ambassadors both at street level and in the subway to guide transferring customers.

Image: Example of new wayfinding signage that to be installed at Church and Market streets

 

Our transfer improvement projects, and service changes teams are conducting robust outreach to community-based organizations, merchants, stakeholders, neighbors and essential businesses and services to inform the public about these important temporary changes. Feedback from these efforts will directly shape the process for evaluating and adjusting the design of these changes. Note that these changes are temporary. Long-term changes will require additional public process.

We want to hear from you and welcome your feedback.

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COVID Rider Reminders

Help the city reduce COVID transmission rate by continuing to stay at home except for essential trips. Shop local and support your neighborhood businesses. Always wear a face covering and maintain physical distance.

Use alternate transportation whenever possible – walk, bike, taxi or drive – to save a seat on Muni for those who don’t have other options. Our subsidized Essential Trips Card program is an alternative for seniors and people with disabilities to use taxis instead of Muni if that better meets their needs. Carshares and micromobility options are also available. Visit our COVID-19 Developments and Response page for more information.

If you do need to travel on Muni:

• Please respect your Muni operator. They are working hard for you.
• Face coverings are required on Muni. To avoid getting passed up, cover your nose and mouth with face cover or mask.
• Board by the back door unless you require assistance.
• Give yourself extra time. Your trip may now include transfers and a longer walk, and your fare is good for two hours across multiple routes. 

Visit our COVID-19 Developments and Response page for the latest information about Muni routes in service or to explore alternate ways to get around the city. To provide feedback on any Muni service changes please use our Muni Feedback Form.

Published August 12, 2020 at 11:58PM
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First phase of 16th Street Improvement Project is complete!

First phase of 16th Street Improvement Project is complete!
By Erin McMillan

A new center-running transit lane with boarding island on 16th Street. Soon, the lane will be upgraded with red paint, and a shelter and railings will be installed on the island to complete the project.

Along 16th Street you may have noticed your ride has gotten a little bit smoother in recent weeks. The first phase of the 16th Street Improvement Project from Potrero to 3rd Street is nearly complete. This means new signalized intersections, new transit islands and transit bulbs for safer and more efficient bus boarding, new pedestrian bulbs to reduce the crossing distance, new ADA ramps at each intersection, new street lights to illuminate the streets, 50 new native trees along 16th street, curb-to curb paving, and new sewer and water pipes. The completion of this phase means a safer and overall more pleasant experience for the community, bus riders, and pedestrians. All completed in less than 18 months. This project made community-informed improvements to address the needs of current and future residents and is part of Muni Forward, an initiative to create a safe, reliable and comfortable experience on and off transit.

Completion of construction of this phase also means that we are one step closer to rerouting 22 Fillmore to serve Mission Bay, traveling east on 16th Street to 3rd Street to utilize the full transit lane and serve Mission Bay medical centers, retail and residences. The timeline for the move is planned for this fall.

The 22 Fillmore typically serves 18,000 daily riders, traveling at less than four miles per hour on parts of 16th Street. In an effort to improve transit reliability and travel times by nearly 25% while addressing safety and accessibility, the 16th Street Improvement Project installed new transit amenities such as new transit islands and transit bulbs that support faster and safer boarding. New traffic signals were installed at Utah, San Bruno, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Missouri streets, in addition to three new traffic signals on 17th Street, that help improve traffic flow and also make it safer for people to cross 16th Street. Soon the transit lane will be painted red and bus shelters will be installed at the new transit boarding islands prior to the 22 Fillmore serving those stops this fall. In addition, completed work includes installation of new sewer and water infrastructure updating an outdated system that now better supports those living and working along 16th Street.

Next up: 16th Street from Church Street to Potrero Avenue

In addition to the eastern section of 16th Street, the west side of 16th Street from Church to Potrero will also undergo construction, including upgrading the sewer line and installing transit amenities like transit bulbs to support more reliable 22 Fillmore service in the Mission. The second phase of the project from Church to Potrero will be delivered through a separate construction project and is anticipated to begin work in early 2021.

As the city gradually reopens, we are moving forward with improvements like the 22 Fillmore project to leverage all of our resources for those who rely on Muni.

For additional information, and to sign up for updates for Phase 2 visit SFMTA.com/16thStreet.

 

Published August 12, 2020 at 02:35AM
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