By Jaime Michaels, HANC Board Member
Slow Street Program. With San Francisco residents entering their seventh week of sheltering in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, it is getting hard to remember how our roadways looked before March 17. Since that time, the volume and regularity of motorized traffic has significantly decreased as fewer people drive to work, share car-rides, and take public transit (MUNI) within the drastically reduced network—now seventeen lines compared to the normal eighty-three. At the same time, sidewalks and bike lanes are in high demand and, at peak times of use, it has become challenging to establish and maintain six feet of social distance, as required under local and state orders.
Our streetscapes were not designed to anticipate the evolving needs and habits of people living during a pandemic. It has, however, become obvious that roadway size is disproportionately large for the current vehicle load while adjoining areas for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchairs, and others are far too small to permit adequate and safe use.
To address this problem, on April 21, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) instituted the “Slow Street” program affecting twelve streets in different neighborhoods, including Page Street (from Stanyan Street to Octavia Boulevard).
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UPDATE: On April 23, HANC learned that we had an opportunity to include Page Street as a slow street in immediate legislation. Because Page Street is already a bike-preferential street, and slow streets allow residents to park and to access garages, HANC was happy to support the slow street designation. Quickly the barriers and signs went up, and we're happy to report that many more walkers and cyclists are using Page!
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Under this program in an effort to slow traffic flow and generally make designated streets safer for all users while current health orders are in effect, partial barriers and signage will be placed. Local vehicle access and parking will be allowed on these streets while non-motorized users conducting essential activities and exercising will share the road.
The converted streets will not interfere with active public transit lines. SFMTA will monitor program progress and, if needed, make changes. For more information and a map, see: https://www.sfmta.com/blog/slow-streets-program-help-social-distancing.
Golden Gate Park Street Closure. Golden Gate Park has recently experienced a steady increase in visitors seeking space for exercise and fresh air especially along the park’s primary corridor, JFK Drive. On April 27, Mayor Breed announced a temporary prohibition of motorized vehicles on JFK from Kezar Drive to Transverse Drive, 24 hours each day, 7 days a week—the same stretch closed to vehicles on Sundays and holidays under normal conditions.
In addition, Shelley Drive at McLaren Park will be closed to cars leaving the entire loop vehicle-free. The decision came about after much public pressure and city official consideration to limit car traffic especially on JFK to create safe and adequate space for all users at a time when it is essential to remain at a six-foot distance from others.
Traffic Calming Measures. Through SFMTA’s Traffic Calming Program, residents can apply for the installation of measures (e.g., speed humps, raised crosswalks, lane width and location changes) on their street to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
Applications can be submitted only once per calendar year and are available at: https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/walk/residential-traffic-calming-program. Due to restrictions in the current health orders on COVID-19, for this calendar year, all applications should be submitted without the normally-required petition signed by neighbors. Applications are due by June 30, 2020.
Applications are evaluated and ranked for project feasibility and need by SFMTA. Subsequently, the agency informs applicants and neighbors of initial decision, holds hearings, conducts on-site evaluations, and, if determined feasible, constructs improvements. In 2019, SFMTA considered applications for traffic calming improvements at multiple locations on Clayton and Frederick Streets in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood. These projects were considered at a hearing in early 2020 and are currently on-hold until the health order is lifted and resources are available to proceed with implementation.