On Friday, May 29, SNA board members conducted a localized “walk audit” of Monterey Boulevard, Bosworth Street, and the nearby Interstate 280 on- and off-ramps.
Walking alongside representatives from the SFMTA and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA), the group assessed the complex area to help guide the earliest stages of the upcoming Bosworth/Monterey Connections Quick-Build Project.
Why This Corridor? Why Now?
This crucial junction links Sunnyside and Glen Park, serving as a primary pipeline for commuters hitting the freeway, transit riders accessing the Glen Park BART station, and kids making their way to school. Because of its odd angles, heavy vehicle volumes, and tricky freeway interfaces, it has long been a source of anxiety for people walking, rolling, and driving through the neighborhood.
The quick-build project focuses on targeted steps to make it easier and safer to reach important neighborhood places, aiming to bridge the gaps between the Hearst, Arlington, and Cayuga Slow Streets.
Key Intersections Under Study
The joint tour focused heavily on the two primary conflict zones currently highlighted in the SFMTA project plans:
1. Monterey Blvd & Circular Ave
The Monterey & Circular intersection is heavily trafficked with odd angles. It’s a key point for people driving to and from I-280 and for those biking across town.
- The Problem: Eastbound Circular Avenue has a wide, unmarked lane, making it unclear where cars should position themselves. Because there are no dedicated bike lanes, cyclists must share the road with fast-moving cars. Furthermore, the westbound right-turn slip lane encourages rapid turns, creating frequent conflicts between drivers and cyclists right at the end of the off-ramp.
2. Bosworth St & Lyell St
The Bosworth & Lyell intersection is wide and allows for many types of turns, including direct left turns onto I-280 and Arlington Street.
- The Problem: It currently has no traffic signal—only painted lines to guide drivers. The eastbound right lane on Bosworth Street is often used as a de facto right-turn lane, pushing through traffic and buses abruptly into the left lane. Because there’s no crosswalk where most people want to cross to reach BART, many pedestrians resort to walking mid-block. Drivers entering the freeway suffer from limited visibility and may not yield to those crossing.
Your Voice Matters: Early Outreach is Starting
Because the Bosworth/Monterey Connections project is in its earliest planning phases, nothing has been set in stone yet. The walk audit was an essential step for city planners to hear firsthand from the community leaders who navigate these streets daily.
The project team is actively reviewing community feedback and exploring solutions like a protected bikeway along the San Jose Avenue ramp to connect Glen Park BART to the existing protected bikeway further east on San Jose Avenue.
SFMTA is currently planning broader community listening sessions and public outreach events. What neighbors share during this period will directly shape the design proposals before they head to a public hearing.
Stay tuned to the SNA website for updates on how you can participate in upcoming community workshops and voice your perspective on making Monterey and Bosworth safer for everyone.
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association 