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SFMTA Board Approves Keeping 17th Ave Stop & Transit Only Lane Update

Neighborhoods Affected
Outer Sunset
Parkside
Route(s) Affected
L Owl

SFMTA Approves Retaining L Taraval Inbound Stop at 17th Avenue

Based on community input and following extensive public support, a proposal for the L Taraval that keeps the inbound 17th Avenue stop near Safeway while improving reliability, safety, and accessibility for the line’s 33,000 daily riders was approved by the SFMTA Board last week. To keep the 17th Avenue inbound stop while boosting reliability for transit riders, the new proposal consolidates two lesser used inbound stops: Forest Side Avenue/Ulloa Street and 15th Avenue/Taraval Street. These two stops would be combined into a single new stop on Ulloa Street at 14th Avenue. This new proposal has many benefits:

  • Maintains convenient access to Safeway and nearby merchants
  • Increases safety and accessibility by adding a boarding island and accessible wheelchair ramp
  • Improves travel times through one of the slowest sections of the L Taraval route by better aligning L Taraval stops with existing stop signs

Until the boarding can be built, a proven safety enhancement used at other stops on Taraval called a "clear zone" would be installed on the west side of 17th at Taraval, requiring removal of eight metered spaces.The diagram below illustrates the proposed stop changes once boarding islands are installed at 17th Avenue:

Diagram of Stop Changes at 17th Avenue on Taraval Street

Transit Only Lane Changes During Twin Peaks Tunnel Construction

Due to ongoing improvements to the Twin Peaks Tunnel, the L Taraval is temporary replaced by a bus running between the SF Zoo and Church Station. This plan is expected to last through approximately the end of August. West of 24th Avenue, the L Taraval buses on Taraval street are using the curbside lane in order to safely pick-up/drop-off customers on the sidewalk. For the segment between 19th and 23rd avenues, buses are able to use boarding islands and therefore drive in the center lanes.

While this bus substitution is ongoing, we are temporarily allowing private vehicles to use the center, transit only lanes for travel and left turns west of 24th Avenue. In order to make this clear, new stickers have been added to the signs and we are coordinating with the San Francisco Police Department on enforcement.

Temporary Transit Only Sign

More Information

These changes are all a part of the much larger L Taraval Rapid Project which will make riding the train safer and more efficient by adding boarding islands, transit priority traffic signals, bulbouts for safer pedestrian crossings, new trees, enhanced crosswalks and unique wayfinding elements. In addition, the project will rehabilitate infrastructure on Taraval Street by replacing the train rails, overhead wires, water lines and sewers, as well as repaving the street. All of these changes will make Taraval safer and more inviting for everyone that uses it.

Additional Details about the L Taraval Rapid Project: https://www.sfmta.com/lrapid

Questions? Contact Phillip Pierce: Phillip.Pierce@sfmta.com or 415.646.2734