L Taraval Improvement Project
In response to numerous collisions and reported safety concerns, an early implementation of measures known as the L Taraval Rapid project improved safety by adding temporary clear zones at transit stops, a transit only lane and painted safety zones at street corners. The next step is a nearly complete rehabilitation on Taraval Street that will replace infrastructure like the worn rails, overhead wires, water and sewer lines, as well as repave the entire street.
Construction has begun for the L Taraval Improvement Project and it will last approximately three years. Transit service on the L Taraval will remain throughout with a combination of buses and trains. Once completed, the corridor will boast new transit priority traffic signals, bulbouts to make pedestrian crossing safer, new trees, high visibility crosswalks, safety boarding islands and increased accessibility. All of these changes will make Taraval more inviting for everyone that uses it.
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Upgraded sewer and water lines, permanent boarding islands and increased accessibility are on its way!
Construction Project Elements
Just in time for the L Taraval to turn 100 years old, the corridor will get much-needed improvements to the Muni system and underground sewer and water lines. The project brings together the SFMTA, Public Utilities Commission, and Public Works to upgrade the vital system that help the community thrive.
- Rail track and overhead line replacement
- Water and sewer line replacement
- Surface repaving
- Curb ramp upgrades
- Concrete boarding islands and pedestrian bulbs
- Traffic signals
- New trees and landscaping
The streetscape style elements including tree selection, decorative crosswalks, trackway accent colors and public art were based on community feedback and will make the corridor an even more inviting to residents and visitors alike.
Construction Segments
In order to minimize disruptions during construction and maximize flexibility, the project is split in two construction segments that will overlap. During various times, there will be bus substitutions for the L Taraval so that crews can work on the rails and infrastructure beneath them.
Segment A: San Francisco Zoo to Sunset Boulevard
Segment B: Sunset Boulevard to West Portal
What to Expect During Construction
Please see our project updates for construction work forecast on the right hand column.
- Work hours are 7:00am-5:00pm Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm weekend **Subject to change based on construction work needs**
- Driving access in both directions
- Pedestrian access
- Local access (access to stores and residential homes) when streets and intersections are closed for work
- Traffic may need to be detoured when streets are closed for work
- Construction zones will be a few blocks at a time
- Bus shuttle service is planned for August 2020 for Segment A's track work. L Taraval Muni service will be available through a combination of bus and train throughout the entirety of construction.
Bus Shuttle Substitution
When Muni Metro service returns on August 22, SFMTA will continue to provide bus shuttle service between SF Zoo and Sunset Boulevard while construction crew replaces track rails for approximately seven months.
L Taraval rail service will resume between 32nd Avenue and West Portal Station.
- For continued inbound service from SF Zoo, Muni customers will need to transfer from bus to train at 32nd Avenue.
- For continued outbound service from West Portal, Muni customers will need to transfer from train to bus at Sunset Boulevard.
The restoration of Muni Metro will look different, as temporary changes are made to improve service, ease crowding and increase transit reliability above and below ground.
To improve Muni Metro reliability, the SFMTA is adjusting which train routes enter the tunnels. This means L Taraval and K Ingleside trains will no longer enter the subway at West Portal, but will instead be combined into a temporary new service called the LK. To continue downtown, Muni customers will need to transfer from the new surface-only LK train at West Portal to a subway train. Visit SFMTA.com/LKTransferProject for more details.
Overhead Contact System (OCS) Poles
As part of the project's work to upgrade the corridor's aging infrastructure, new overhead contact system (OCS) pole foundations will be constructed to replace the existing poles. These poles are essential to providing support and tension for Muni's Overhead Contact System to keep the L Taraval light rail vehicles running. In addition, it also serves the dual function of illuminating the streets of the Taraval corridor and the path of travel for the Muni L Taraval.
The new OCS poles will be approximately 2-3 feet to the left or right of the existing pole. During construction, you may see both the new and exisitng OCS poles. This is temporary until the construction crew is able to remove the aged OCS pole.
Segment B Stop Changes
To improve safety and reliability while retaining access to key destinations, several additional stop changes are planned as part of the project.
- Taraval and 17th Avenue (inbound) will be relocated from the near side to the far side of the intersection once the new island is constructed.
- 15th Avenue and Traval (inbound) will be removed once the boarding island at 17th Avenue is constructed
- Ulloa and Forest Side (inbound and outbound) will be relocated to Ulloa and 14th Avenue
Project Details
Comprehensive transit and pedestrian safety features will enhance the safety of passengers getting on and off Muni and make the L Taraval more reliable. Block by block features including stop changes, boarding island locations and turn restrictions are highlighted below.
