Oak Street Quick-Build approved at Engineering Public Hearing, next SFMTA Board
On Friday, November 8, the Oak Street Quick-Build was approved at engineering public hearing, and is one step away from final approval. Dozens of our members turned out to show support for this project and ensure it makes it over the finish line.
This project will expand the bicycle network, create a safer experience for everyone who uses Oak Street and make our neighborhood a more enjoyable place to live.
The quick-build project includes:
- A new protected eastbound bikeway on Oak Street along the park between Kezar Drive and Baker Street
- Improved daylighting, painted safety zones
- Improved intersection safety for people walking to and from the Panhandle
- At the Oak and Masonic intersection, separation of vehicle left-turns and people walking and biking
- A protected southbound bikeway on Baker Street between Fell and Oak Streets
- A new bike signal at the Oak and Baker intersection
This portion of Oak Street is on the high-injury network, the 13% of our city’s roads that make up 75% of severe and fatal traffic collisions. Crossing Oak Street between the Haight and the Panhandle is scary and uncomfortable, especially for children and seniors. Furthermore, San Francisco is in mourning for the two recent pedestrian fatalities that took place in neighboring areas to this project site. We must prevent future injuries and fatalities and this project brings us one step closer to that goal.
Recently, the project has received some pushback from stakeholders who are concerned about the parking loss required for the project. Installing a protected bikeway will remove around 50 parking spaces, though most of the parking loss is due to the California state mandate for daylighting intersections (AB 413).
Parking loss is a worthwhile trade-off for the safety and connectivity benefits of people biking, walking, and rolling on Oak Street. We voiced our strong approval of the project to show SFMTA leadership that the community wants this project and believes it will make our city better.
Next, the quick-build will need to go to the SFMTA Board of Directors for final approval. We expect that to happen sometime in December. Stay tuned for opportunities to voice your support. Sign up for email updates to be notified of the meeting date and how you can take action.