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This project was made possible in part by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority through a grant of Proposition K Local Transportation Sales Tax funds.

Project Update
Construction of traffic calming measures in the Minna-Natoma area has been delayed slightly while the SFMTA, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) coordinate three local projects in order to minimize disruption to the neighborhood and maximize cost-effectiveness.

Two small changes have been necessary as the traffic calming plan has moved to construction. The raised crosswalk at 15th and South Van Ness Avenue proved unfeasible from an engineering perspective, and will be replaced with a speed hump on 15th Street between South Van Ness Avenue and Natoma Street.  The mid-block bulb-out on the west side of Capp Street, that was posed in front of the Marshall School yard has been deleted from the plan. This bulb was a phase 2 measure but may now be delayed after Capp street is repaved in 2012. The street will have a five year moratorium on excavation, so this bulb will either have to be built temporarily or delayed until the moratorium is over.

Construction of the speed humps and raised crosswalks will commence in coordination with the two existing paving and sewer contracts.  These projects are scheduled to begin this winter and next spring respectively, and we will announce when specific traffic calming measures will be built as soon as that timeline has been finalized.          

Phase 2 measures (as shown on the map below) will still be contingent on the relative success of Phase 1 construction measures in reducing speeds and cut-through traffic on local streets. Phase 2 measures will only be if needed to continue to calm traffic on area streets.

A Final Report on the planning phase of this project can be found here: Minna-Natoma Final Report.

 

The Home Zone Concept
The home zone idea is a concept developed in Europe that is spreading quickly in European and American cities. Originally called “woonerfs” in northern Europe, “home zones” in the United Kingdom, and “slow zones” in New York City, the goal of a home zone is to create streets that put people first, making them safe and comfortable to use whether you are in a vehicle, on a bike, or walking. This effect is possible through effective street design, where drivers are given visual cues to keep speeds at or under the speed limit. People walking, bicycling and others are encouraged to explore and to enjoy the space for recreational purposes.

For more information on "home zones" in San Francisco, see this Fact Sheet.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is excited to test out this approach to increasing the livability and safety of residential streets in San Francisco. Taking advantage of an existing traffic calming process, SFMTA’s Sustainable Streets Division identified a small neighborhood around Marshall Elementary School in the Mission District as an ideal candidate for a trial home zone. The two square block area between South Van Ness Avenue and Mission Street, and between 14th and 16th streets is made up of five small streets. The characteristics that make this area prime for designation as San Francisco’s first home zone include the following:

  • Existing public process to vet the concept and design (traffic calming process started in June 2010)
  • Small residential area, bordered by arterial and collector streets, that has documented speeding, and cut-through traffic
  • Destinations that attract people walking, riding bikes, and using transit, such as Marshall Elementary School, the BART station, Mission Neighborhood Health Center, Mission Dolores, and Mission Street’s commercial activities

This pilot proposes the use of traffic calming measures to discourage speeding and cut-through traffic to foster increased community activity in the area. Specifically, we are recommending the installation of raised crosswalks around the border of the area, with speed humps and traffic striping on interior blocks to visually narrow the roadway and to slow traffic. More walking and street life will discourage the social and public health issues which have long plagued Capp Street and the area adjacent to the 16th Street BART Plaza.

 

Home Zone Proposal Map

proposed area map

Next Steps
Construction of speed humps and painting of new edge lines was anticipated to begin this summer, but has been delayed slightly while the SFMTA is coordinating construction efforts with two local sewer and paving projects in order to impose less disruption on the neighborhood and make the most efficient use of available funding. Check this webpage periodically for updates to the construction schedule. 

For more information contact the project manager, Nick Carr, at (415) 701.4468 or nick.carr@sfmta.com.

 

Traffic Calming Overview
Please review our section on the general principles of Traffic Calming on this website to learn more about this program.

Feedback
By Phone – General Inquiries: 311 Project Specific Information 415-701-4468
By FAX - Livable Streets FAXline: 415-701-4343
By E-Mail - nick.carr@sfmta.com

By US Mail:
Nick Carr, Senior Planner
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
Sustainable Streets Division – Livable Streets Program
1 South Van Ness Avenue - 7th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103

 

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Livable Streets services are provided by the Sustainable Streets Division of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Copyright © 2000-2012 SFMTA. All rights reserved. Updated February 8, 2012