**PRESS RELEASE**
SFMTA Weekend Transit and Traffic Advisory
San Francisco—The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) releases the following upcoming event-related traffic and transit impacts for this holiday weekend, Saturday, February 18 through Monday, February 20, 2017. Anyone traveling in San Francisco can check www.sfmta.com or call 311 to find out which of the 83 Muni lines will get them where they want to go. All road users are encouraged to be aware, share the roadway and to follow all rules to ensure everyone’s safety. Whether you are riding Muni, taking a taxi, walking, riding a bike or driving, please remain vigilant to keep everyone safe. If you see suspicious activity, please report it.
For real-time updates, follow us on www.twitter.com/sfmta_muni or visit http://www.sfmta.com/signup to sign up for real-time text messages or email alerts.
For details of Muni re-routes, please visit http://www.sfmta.com/news/alerts. This website will be updated when it is closer to the event date.
For additional notifications and agency updates, please subscribe to our blog, Moving SF for daily or weekly updates.
President’s Day Holiday Muni Service and Parking Enforcement
Monday, February 20 (President’s Day Holiday): Muni service will operate on a Saturday schedule.
Parking meters, seven-day and night street sweeping will be enforced citywide on the holiday. Residential parking permits, Monday-Friday daytime street sweeping and commuter towaway will not be enforced.
Vehicles creating a hazard and/or an unsafe condition (i.e. double parking, blocking a bike lane, blocking driveways, blocking crosswalks, fire hydrants, etc.) are subject to receiving citations and can possibly be towed.
Note: Parking meters in the City are enforced Monday through Saturday with the exception of the following areas where parking meters are enforced seven days per week throughout the year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day:
- Parking meters in the Fisherman’s Wharf area
- On and near The Embarcadero roadway
- In the Special Event Area around AT&T Park
- Five metered off-street parking facilities listed below:
- 8th Avenue at Clement Street
- 9th Avenue at Clement Street
- Geary Boulevard at 21st Avenue
- 18th Avenue at Geary Boulevard
- Pierce Street Garage (between Lombard and Chestnut streets)
Chinatown New Year Run
Sunday, February 19: The Chinatown New Year Run will begin at 8 a.m. and be followed by a festival in Portsmouth Square.
For more event details, visit http://www.chineseparade.com/ymca.asp.
The race route will begin on Grant Avenue and Sacramento Street, travel along Grant Avenue, west on Pacific Avenue, north on Stockton Street, east on North Point Street and south-east onto The Embarcadero. The race route will continue along The Embarcadero, west on Washington Street, south on Battery Street, west on Pine Street and north on Kearny Street to Clay Street.
The following street closures will be required from 7 to 9:30 a.m.:
- Grant Avenue between Pine Street and Pacific Avenue
- Pacific Avenue between Grant Avenue and Stockton Street
- Stockton Street (northbound traffic lane only) between Pacific Avenue and North Point Street
- North Point Street (eastbound traffic lane only) between Stockton Street and southbound Embarcadero
- Southbound Embarcadero (bike lane and one traffic lane only) between North Point and Washington streets
- Washington Street (one westbound traffic lane only) between southbound Embarcadero and Battery Street
- Battery Street (most westerly traffic lane only) between Washington and Pine streets
- Pine Street (most northerly traffic lane only) between Battery Street and Grant Avenue
- Kearny Street (most easterly parking lane and traffic lane only) between Pine and Clay streets
The following street closures will be required from 6 to 11 a.m.:
- Walter U. Lum Place between Washington and Clay streets
The following Muni line and routes will be affected:
- California Cable Car
- 1 California
- 8 Bayshore
- 10 Townsend
- 12 Folsom-Pacific
- 30 Stockton
- 39 Coit
- 45 Union-Stockton
There will be heavy traffic in the area. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time.
CONSTRUCTION WORK AND OTHER UPDATES
NEW: Casual Carpool Pick-Up New Location
Due to a new construction project at 160 Folsom Street, the Casual Carpool staging area previously on the west side of Spear and north of Folsom streets has been temporarily relocated as of Monday, January 30.
The new location for Casual Carpool pickup will be the west side of Spear Street between Mission and Howard Streets. The operation hours remains unchanged, from 3 to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
UPDATE: Central Subway Project
Due to heavy rain these past few weeks, utility work at the intersection of 4th and Welsh streets has been extended. The Project continues to collaborate with other service providers to coordinate schedules and work. Traffic reroutes are projected to remain in effect for the next several weeks. Currently, Welsh at 4th streets is closed and the two-way street configuration continues during construction.
Central Subway project is the first underground line to link the north and south corridors of the city, and will provide a direct connection to major retail, sporting and cultural venues while efficiently transporting people to jobs, educational opportunities and other amenities throughout San Francisco.
This is an exciting time as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's Central Subway team works to construct a vital transportation link that, when open in 2019, will improve connectivity for the city.
UPDATE: Van Ness Improvement Project
This civic improvement project will bring San Francisco’s first Bus Rapid Transit system. To maximize the benefits of construction, we will also be replacing major utilities including water, sewer and emergency firefighting water systems, repaving Van Ness Avenue, enhancing streetlights and landscaping, and installing new sidewalk lighting and rain gardens.
Construction in the median of Van Ness has begun and includes the removal of contaminated soil, 86 trees and the concrete curb. This work is necessary to provide room for construction activity and to maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction over the next three years of construction. Curbside utility work is scheduled to begin in April.
Traffic Impact:
Through Friday, February 17, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., the existing bus stop on Van Ness at Sutter will be temporarily relocated a half-block north from the far side of Van Ness and Fern.
The following Muni routes will be affected:
- 47 Van Ness
- 49 Van Ness/Mission
- 90 San Bruno Owl
Monday, February 13 through Friday, February 24, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., the existing northbound stop on Van Ness at Clay will be temporarily relocated a block north to Van Ness at Washington.
The following Muni routes will be affected:
- 47 Van Ness
- 49 Van Ness/Mission
- 90 San Bruno Owl
On Monday, February 20, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., work will occur in the median on Van Ness from McAllister to Golden Gate, Jackson to Broadway, and Union to Filbert streets. Also during these hours, the Overhead Contact System will be removed on Van Ness from Market to Fell and California to Clay streets. Some traffic lanes may be closed for these construction activities.
Construction schedules are subject to change due to weather or unforeseen conditions.
For more project details and the latest construction updates, please visit sfmta.com/vanness.
UPDATE: Construction of Mission Bay Loop
Now until Further Notice: The SFMTA has resumed construction on 18th, 19th and Illinois streets, the project is expected to be completed in five to six months.
The Mission Bay Loop is a key component for San Francisco’s T Third rail line and is critical to operating the T Third Central Subway service plan. The loop provides turn-around capabilities for the T Third Street light rail line via a connection of trackway from 3rd Street to 18th, Illinois and 19th streets, which will allow the SFMTA to operate the necessary service levels needed to support current and planned growth within the eastern portion of San Francisco.
Traffic, including travelling by bike, may be affected by the construction work. All work areas will be clearly marked and there will be flaggers to help direct traffic. Travelling around and through the construction area should expect minor delays.
On December 5, the contractor began the sewer excavation work starting at 19th and Illinois streets, general work hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Due to weather conditions, the contractor conducted sewer work at the intersection of 19th and Illinois streets on Saturday, February 11. Weather permitting, the sewer work will continue on Saturday, February 18. Work hours will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The entire sewer work will take approximately two to three months to complete and will affect approximately 80 feet of space in all directions from the intersection.
Local access to properties along the project site will be maintained.
For project details or to sign up to receive project updates, please visit:
https://www.sfmta.com/missionbayloop.
ONGOING: Green Light Rail Center Track Replacement Project
Since Tuesday September 6, the K-Ingleside and J-Church were rerouted around the Balboa Park Station and will last until approximately March 2017.
Temporary Change to K-Ingleside Rail Service:
- The first and last stop for both inbound and outbound travel is at the City College Pedestrian Bridge on Ocean Avenue
- There is no direct service to the Balboa Park Station
For direct K service, passengers can transfer at Ocean and Lee to the following frequently serviced Muni routes:
- 8-Bayshore (transfer on the Phelan bus loop on Ocean and Phelan)
- 29-Sunset (transfer at the Ocean and Lee stop in front of Whole Foods).
- 49-Van Ness/Mission (transfer on the City College bus loop on Ocean and Phelan)
To reach Balboa Park Station, passengers can also walk about three accessible blocks from the City College Pedestrian Bridge stop to the Ocean Avenue entrance of the station.
Temporary Change to J-Church Rail Service:
- Both inbound and outbound service is on San Jose Avenue
Customers traveling inbound should board at the temporary stop in the southeast corner of San Jose and Geneva avenues, across the street from the inbound stop for the M Ocean View line (Accessible boarding at Seneca Avenue).
Customers travelling outbound will be dropped off at the existing accessible M line stop on San Jose Avenue at Geneva Avenue (Accessible off-boarding at Wayside lift).
For more project details, please visit sfmta.com/greenlightrail.
ONGOING: Polk Streetscape Project
The Polk Streetscape Project is an effort to create a safer, more vibrant corridor for all residents of San Francisco. In addition to increasing safety for everyone traveling on Polk Street, this project will incorporate new lighting, landscaping and street infrastructure. The project is anticipated to be completed in six segments, with construction taking approximately 24 months to complete. General work hours will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Construction began on October 17 with sewer work on North Point Street, from Polk to Larkin streets.
San Francisco Public Works will be working to incorporate key safety, sewer and water utility infrastructure improvements and streetscape enhancements along Polk Street, from Beach to McAllister streets. Improvements also include: paving, ADA curb ramps installation, alleyway improvements, sidewalk bulb-outs and bus bulb-outs, traffic signal upgrades, street light upgrades and bicycle lane improvements.
Traffic/Transit Impact
- At times, there may be temporary intersection or lane closures as crews perform work resulting in possible travel delays. Please plan to allow for extra travel time during construction due to possible delays.
- Traffic will be routed around construction activity as necessary. Pedestrian pathways and access to driveways and commercial/residential buildings will be maintained at all times.
For more project details, please visit sfpublicworks.org/polk.
Upcoming Events February and March
Critical Mass
Friday, February 24: The Critical Mass bicycle ride will begin at Justin Herman Plaza at 6 p.m.
There will be heavy traffic in the area. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 11: The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Market Street.
For more event details, visit http://www.uissf.org/.
Starting at 10 a.m. the parade units will gather along 2nd Street between Market and Brannan streets. At 11:30 a.m. the parade will move west along Market Street to McAllister Street and proceed west to Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place and south to Grove Street where the parade will disband.
More details to follow.
Start of Daylight Saving Time
Sunday, March 12: Daylight Saving Time will commence at 2 a.m., requiring clocks to be set forward one hour.
All Muni service will continue to operate on standard time through the end of Owl service*. Muni schedules will adjust to daylight saving time with the start of regular service on Sunday.
Note: *In conjunction with regular bus service, the SFMTA also provides late night service (1 to 5 a.m.) on certain bus routes. For more details of owl service and routes, please visit http://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/transit/routes-stops.
Sunday Streets: The Mission District
Sunday, March 12: The 2017 season of Sunday Streets will begin in the Mission District. The event will take place on Valencia Street from Duboce Street to 26th Street and on 23rd Street from San Jose Avenue to Barlett Street. The route will open the roadway to people walking, bicycling and other recreational activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For further event details, visit:
http://sundaystreetssf.com/season-schedule/mission_31217/.
More details to follow.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon San Francisco
Sunday, March 26: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon will begin on John F. Kennedy Drive between 36th Avenue and Chain of Lakes Drive. The race will start at 6:30 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 11:30 a.m. The 13.1-mile course will take runners across the Golden Gate Bridge, past Marina Green and Fort Mason and back through the city to finish at Civic Center.
For more event details, please visit http://runrocknroll.competitor.com.
More details to follow.
NEW: Transbay Terminal Construction
Friday, March 3 through Saturday, April 1: Construction work for the Transbay Terminal will require a street closure of Beale Street between Mission and Howard streets.
The street closure will require temporary reroutes of multiple Muni routes off Beale Street and traffic reroute.
The following Muni routes will be affected:
- 5 Fulton
- 5R Fulton Rapid
- 6 Haight/Parnassus
- 7 Haight/Noriega
- 7R Haight/Noriega Rapid
- 30X Marina Express
- 38 Geary
- 38R Geary Rapid
- 41 Union
- 81X Caltrain Express
- 82X Levi Plaza Express
More details to follow.
REMINDER: Parking Meter Rate Adjustment
Wednesday, February 1: A rate adjustment was made for on-street parking meters in SFpark areas which includes Civic Center/Hayes Valley, Downtown, Fillmore, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Marina, Mission Bay, and SoMa. The new adjustment took effect on Wednesday, February 1.
The meter rate adjustment will:
- decrease by 25 cents during 16% of metered hours
- stay the same 74% of metered hours
- increase by 25 cents during 10% of metered hours