Supervisor Carmen Chu: Muni, Traffic Changes

Crestlake Traffic Calming Project

Our office continues to advocate for additional traffic safety measures throughout the district. More than a year ago, the Pine Lake Park Neighborhood Association and numerous residents contacted the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) with concerns around high traffic speeds and pedestrian safety in the neighborhood.

Since that time, MTA traffic engineers and planners have been working with our office and with residents to study and develop proposals to improve traffic and safety conditions in the area through the Crestlake Traffic Calming Project. Its project boundary is from Vicente Street to Sloat Boulevard and from Sunset Boulevard to Gabilan Way.

The SF Department of Public Works and the Municipal Transportation Agency are in the process of installing traffic calming islands on Yorba Street, between 36th Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, and between Sunset Boulevard and 37th Avenue. By narrowing the roadway, these islands slow vehicle speeds and allow for a safe refuge for pedestrians crossing the street. Engineers have already begun planning around the site for construction this winter.

Some of the other upcoming traffic calming measures include: new red zones around intersections on Sloat Boulevard to improve visibility of oncoming traffic and speed humps along various thoroughfares in the Crestlake Traffic Calming Project area to slow vehicle speeds. Please note that speed humps require an affirmative vote of affected residents prior to implementation. Ballots are expected to be mailed to residents in 2010.

Sunset Boulevard Restriped

Sunset Boulevard, one of District 4's main thoroughfares, has also been re-striped thanks to the generosity of traffic safety contractors with The Chrisp Company.

At one of our office's recent neighborhood clean-up events Paul Anderson, a volunteer participant and representative of the Chrisp Company, approached us with an idea. He suggested the company donate its services to paint dashed lane line striping as a way of giving back.

I am deeply appreciative of the generous contribution that The Chrisp Company has made to the city and county of San Francisco, especially during this economic climate.

Noriega Street Medians

Residents driving by Noriega Street have probably noticed new median islands. These islands were installed over the summer, and are designed to improve safety by shortening the distance of crossing a wide street and by slowing traffic at key areas along Noriega.

Upcoming Muni Service Changes

To address significant budget shortfalls in 2009-10, Muni staff and the MTA Board of Directors proposed a number of changes, including route changes across the entire transportation system. These service changes were approved in May 2009, and will be implemented beginning Saturday, Dec. 5. Many residents depend on public transportation each day, and we wanted to make sure you are aware of changes that may affect your daily commute. Below is a summary of changes to lines passing through District 4:

á L-Taraval, 28, 28-Limited: No changes;

á N-Judah: No changes within district; will not run between Embarcadero and Caltrain on weekends (The T-line provides access to those areas.);

á 16AX and 16BX consolidated into one line - the 16X, which will see increased service in morning peak periods. The segment at Sunset Boulevard, between Noriega Street and Lincoln Way, and Lincoln Way, between Sunset Boulevard and 23rd Avenue, is eliminated (The 29 covers Sunset Boulevard and the closest line to Lincoln Way is the N-Judah.);

á 18 line: No changes within district. Segment north of Golden Gate Park to be re-routed;

á 29-Sunset: No changes within district. Route within Presidio to be replaced with shuttle;

á 48-Quintara: No changes within district. Segment in Potrero Hill to be re-routed;

á 66-Quintara: Line ends earlier with last bus departing Ninth Avenue and Judah Street at 11 p.m., and Vicente Street and 30th Avenue at 11:10 p.m.;

á 71 and 71L: No changes within district. Last stop moved from Market and Steuart streets to First and Mission streets. Last westbound 71 bus leaves at 12:15 a.m. The 71-Limited will have additional service during peak periods.

Additional information and maps on service changes are available at www.sfmta.com. You can also call 311 for specific details.

Cider with Santa

Presented by Friends of West Sunset Playground (FOWSP) on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the West Sunset Playground, located at 39th Avenue and Ortega Street.

Student School Assignment Meeting

Meeting will be held on Dec. 15, from 6 - 8 p.m., at the Dianne Feinstein Elementary School, 2550 25th Ave.

For more information regarding upcoming district events or any other district issues, please contact our office at (415) 554-7560 or e-mail chustaff@sfgov.org.

San Francisco Supervisor Carmen Chu represents District 4.