SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Work to remove the controversial center-running bike lane on Valencia Street in San Francisco will begin next week and a side-running bike lane will be put in its place. Construction on the project will begin Monday, Feb. 10, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency.
SFMTA crews will work with San Francisco Department of Public Works crews to build the new bikeway on Valencia between 15th and 23rd streets in SF’s Mission District. The project will begin with the removal of the center-running lane.
While SFMTA calls the pilot center lane a success, the agency is removing it due to feedback from the community. The bike lane, according to SFMTA, improved safety and comfort for bicyclists, reduced vehicle conflict, and maintained curb access. It also left parklets undisturbed.
Some in the community said they were confused by the center lane’s impact on traffic patterns, like turning restrictions. Merchants along Valencia complained that the lane had a negative impact on parking and loading along the busy commercial corridor.
According to SFMTA, the new design will preserve a safe and separated option for people to bike on, make it easier for bikes to visit destinations mid-block, improve traffic circulation on the street, and keep parklets open.
Once the center lane is removed, crews will begin repaving the center of the street before installing a side-running lane. The project is expected to take two to three months with work taking place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Work to remove the controversial center-running bike lane on Valencia Street in San Francisco will begin next week and a side-running bike lane will be put in its place. Construction on the project will begin Monday, Feb. 10, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency. SFMTA crews will work with […]
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