Slow Streets signage on Hearst Avenue going in

Today workers from the Dept of Public Works are installing the signage for Slow Streets on Hearst Avenue. As of midday, they have finished from Baden to Edna, which leaves Foerster to Ridgewood to be done. There are seven intersections total, and all will be well signed.

Detroit and Hearst. New Slow Streets signage. Photo: Sunnyside Neighborhood Association

The signage has two parts, three plastic soft-hit posts on the roadway with signs attached, and a large “ROADWAY CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC” on a standard metal pole in the sidewalk. Local access by residents and visitors is not in any way prohibited. Families traveling to and from local schools are likewise not impacted by the program.

Edna and Hearst. DPW at work. Photo: Sunnyside Neighborhood Association

What is “Slow Streets”? From the SFMTA website:

The SFMTA’s Slow Streets program is designed to limit through traffic on certain residential streets and allow them to be used as a shared space for people traveling by foot and by bicycle. Throughout the city, nearly thirty corridors have been implemented as a Slow Street. On these Slow Streets, signage and barricades have been placed to minimize through vehicle traffic and prioritize walking and biking. The goal of the Slow Streets program is to provide more space for socially distant essential travel and exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.sfmta.com/projects/slow-streets-program
Isabel is checking out the new signs. Photo: Ken Hollenbeck
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Slow Streets for Hearst Ave. due to arrive next week

From SFMTA, an update about the long-awaited Slow Streets program for Hearst Avenue.

SFMTA will implement a Slow Street in your neighborhood next week. Hearst Avenue between Ridgewood Avenue and Baden Street was approved by the SFMTA Board to become a Slow Street back in Spring 2021. Due to a material shortage, the implementation of Lyon Street as a Slow Street had to be delayed until now.

The Slow Streets program aims to create pedestrian and bicycle priority streets that are calmer and allow for shared roadway usage between people walking, biking, rolling, exercising, or driving. The shared roadway facility is created by discouraging vehicle through traffic and encouraging slower vehicle speeds using traffic diverters and signage.

Slow Streets are not full street closures and local vehicle traffic, delivery/mail services, and emergency responders can still access the Slow Street.

Additionally, although Slow Streets are pedestrian and bicycle priority streets, pedestrians and bicyclists utilizing the Slow Street must yield the road to oncoming vehicles.

Please help inform community members in your neighborhood through your communication channels about the implementation of the Hearst Slow Street happening by the end of next week. I’ve attached a flyer for your reference that you can include in any messaging to inform community members.

For more information on the Slow Streets Program visit https://SFMTA.com/SlowStreets. If you have any questions, please email us directly at SlowStreets@sfmta.com.

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June 14: Balboa Reservoir community meeting

The Balboa Reservoir Community Advisory Committee meets Monday, June 14th, 2021, at 6 PM on Zoom. Public comment always welcome.

The two main agenda items are a discussion of a proposal for a task force on Balboa Park, Ocean Avenue Transportation and Street Safety, and Community Engagement During Project Implementation.

The agenda is here. The Zoom link is here.

Image of planned Balboa Reservoir Project, from the Design Standards and Guidelines. https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/citywide/balboareservoir_dsg.pdf

Traffic Calming proposed for Staples Ave.

At the June 4, 2021, SFMTA Engineering Hearing: Speed humps are proposed for Staples Ave. between Edna and Detroit will be on the agenda. More about the meeting here.

Residents wishing to request traffic calming for their block can find out more here. Deadline for this cycle is June 30, 2021. Currently the petition requirement is being waived.

Excerpted from SFMTA agenda June 4, 2021. https://www.sfmta.com/sites/default/files/reports-and-documents/2021/05/ph_6_4_2021.pdf

Traffic Calming planned for Flood Ave

In response to a request from the residents on the 400 block of Flood Avenue (between Foerster and Gennessee) SFMTA will be installing two sets of speed humps, approved a week ago at the SFMTA Engineering Hearing.

From SFMTA Engineering Agenda Mar 5 2021.

Read more about requesting traffic calming for your block here. Although the multi-step process for requesting and receiving such traffic-calming measures usually takes a period of many months, even years, the program is open to all residents.

The current request period closes at the end of June, and due to Covid-19, all usual requirements for petitions/signatures have been waived. If you would like to see the traffic on your block slowed down, this is an excellent opportunity.

Continue reading “Traffic Calming planned for Flood Ave”