SAN FRANCISCO—More than two miles of Market Street will be closed to private car traffic with San Francisco’s Better Market Street project. The city’s Better Market Street project is intended to improve safety and transportation quality on the 2.2 stretch that runs from Steuart Street to Van Ness Avenue [westbound] and 10th Street to Main Street [eastbound].
In late February, the Planning Department released a draft of the environmental impact report. According to the report, the project sponsor, the San Francisco Department of Public Works, is working with the Citywide Planning Division of the San Francisco Planning Department and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). The proposed project would provide various transportation and streetscape improvements to the 2.2 long corridor.
“The report provides both decision-makers and the general public with an objective analysis of the project’s potential impacts on the environment, as well as a chance to make comments on those impacts,” said the SFMTA in a blog post.
All private vehicles would be restricted access along the stretch, including rideshare vehicles. Taxis, buses, commercial vehicles and paratransit would not be restricted.
In place of private auto traffic, the plan proposes new sidewalk-level bikeways in each direction on Market Street, spaced between pedestrian walkways and centered transit stops and boarding islands. Muni buses and F-Market streetcars would run in designated center lanes, and share outside lanes with taxis, paratransit vehicles and commercial loading vehicles.
Public comments about the report are currently being accepted until 5 p.m. on April 15.
