San Francisco transportation planners have released final recommendations from the Inner Sunset Transportation Study, proposing a range of improvements for traffic circulation, Muni service, and bike safety in the bustling Inner Sunset neighborhood. The San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) board adopted the final report last week, outlining near-, mid-, and long-term strategies.
The study, which encompassed a 14-block area bounded by Judah Street, Lincoln Way, Fifth Avenue, and 12th Avenue, was initiated to address the complex transportation needs of the commercial core. This area is a significant hub for restaurants, coffee shops, and small businesses, also serving as a key transit corridor for several Muni bus lines and the N-Judah rail.
Among the near-term recommendations, expected to be completed within one to two years, are painting safety zones at crosswalk corners to enhance pedestrian visibility. Additionally, the study suggests implementing continental crosswalks and advanced limit lines to guide drivers on where to stop, along with a painted bike lane on Seventh Avenue between Judah Street and Lincoln Way.
For transit efficiency, the study proposes consolidating Muni stops on Judah Street between Fifth and Seventh avenues. This measure aims to reduce travel times for riders on the 6-Haight/Parnassus and 43-Masonic lines. Andrew Heidel, an SFCTA transportation planner, presented these recommendations, noting that a recent crash involving a bicyclist at Irving and Seventh Avenue prompted a review and acceleration of some safety-related proposals.
Mid-term recommendations, projected for completion within two to five years, include improving service on the N-Judah and 7-Haight/Noriega lines, and initiating a study for a "low-stress, low-conflict bicycle route." The SFCTA also suggested updating existing traffic signals, adding a new signal at Judah Street and 10th Avenue, and expanding sidewalk space at Ninth Avenue and Judah Street to prevent vehicles from blocking N-line trains.
Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who chairs the SFCTA board and represents the Inner Sunset, expressed a desire for more "courageous" solutions, particularly regarding persistent issues like illegal double-parking on Irving Street. Melgar highlighted a recent 45-minute N-line delay caused by a vehicle blocking tracks, advocating for physical barriers to prevent such disruptions and improve Muni reliability.
