N-Judah Streetcar Turnaround Cited as Danger for Pedestrians

By Jonathan Farrell

The Muni N-Judah streetcar line ends at 48th Avenue and La Playa, at Ocean Beach. This is where the light rail transit car stops for a change of conductor-operator before slowly making its way eastbound on Judah Street towards downtown. As an end of the line spot, the atmosphere seems leisurely, but residents say there are concerns about pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Sunset District residents gathered at the Java Beach Cafe on June 3 to discuss ways to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety with SF Supervisor Carmen Chu.

"Of the two light rail lines (the L-Taraval and N-Judah) that run through the Sunset and Parkside districts, the N-Judah line is a unique situation," Chu said. "The light-rail train ends its run on Judah Street and then sits in a U-shaped fashion in the middle of a three way intersection."

Judah ends where 48th Avenue and La Playa intersect, making for a congested situation. It is confusing for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as motorists.

It is easy for pedestrians and bicyclists to be caught in between the streetcars as vehicles try to maneuver past. As well, at times pedestrians and bicyclists cannot be seen fully by motorists or streetcar operators.

At the meeting, some residents wondered if the streetcars might be moved or parked at another location.

But experts said moving the streetcars would not be feasible because the handicapped accessible ramp, installed under the current ADA laws, must be accessible for wheelchairs, making streetcar car parking in the middle of the intersection the only viable option.

"The only way Muni would be able to move the trolley cars to another spot in the vicinity would be to build more track," said Vern Waight, a CalTrans engineer, now retired, and long-time Sunset resident.

"There's no room. Where would Muni expand it too?" he asked.

At a previous community meeting held in May, residents discussed with the supervisor ideas for making the intersection safer and discouraging motorists from making "crazy maneuvers," like U-turns, driving in reverse and driving in a lane in the opposite direction of traffic.

Other suggestions mentioned at the meeting included repainting the intersection, making crosswalks bolder and more visible and, perhaps, closing one lane of traffic southbound between Irving and Judah streets.

Officials at Muni would not respond to repeated requests for comment, saying only that "safety is a number one priority for this agency."

Representatives at the SF Department of Parking and Traffic also did not respond.

Chu said her office is asking for community feedback on the streetcar turnaround issue before approaching Muni with specific ideas on how to improve safety.

For more information, call Chu's office at (415) 554-7460 or send an e-mail to Carmen.Chu@sfgov.org.