Transit officials are seeking to reduce traffic congestion and improve Muni's M-Ocean View line on 19th Avenue.
San Francisco transit officials are seeking to reduce traffic congestion and improve Muni’s M-Ocean View light rail line on 19th Avenue.
One problem area is on 19th Avenue at Rossmoor Drive, where Muni tracks cross over the northbound traffic lanes of 19th Avenue so trains can enter and exit their private right-of-way near Stonestown Galleria.
The current transit signal operates at a fixed time interval, so motorists have to stop — even if there’s no train. According to a staff report from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency:
“This creates unnecessary delays to traffic and Muni, as the 28-Line and the 28R-Line both travel on 19th Avenue.”
On Tuesday, the SFMTA’s Board of Directors will consider a $3.4 million contract with ProVen Management to install train detection, which means northbound 19th Avenue traffic would only have to stop if a train is approaching.
In addition, the contractor would also replace the nearly 40-year old rail tracks between the Stonestown transit stop at Winston Drive to Rossmoor Drive, replace the overhead catenary system poles, and install red concrete around the rail crossing on Rossmoor Drive to remind drivers not to block the M-Ocean View right-of-way.
There would also be oncoming train signals installed to inform pedestrians crossing near Rossmoor Drive and new ADA-compliant curb ramps installed, the transit agency said.
The SFMTA staff report said work would coincide with the Twin Peaks Tunnel Project since the M-Ocean View will already be running on bus shuttle service during the Twin Peaks Tunnel closure.
Funding for the project is still pending approval from the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, the staff report said.
Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.
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I’m all for this, but I think the installation of train sensor and traffic and bicycle lights between the two N line tunnels should be a higher priority. The N has more riders, and eliminating this ridiculous stop alone would allow faster running times and possibly higher train speeds, improve vehicle and driver utilization, thereby reduce overcrowding, reduce wear on the vehicles, and probably result in slightly less net congestion. It would be a very small step toward dedicated Muni routes, but one with an outsized positive impact.
This connection point is a mess, along with the NB left turn at Winston. We don’t hear too much any more about undergrounding the M in this stretch…thankfully.
I agree with you on not wanting the M subway built, which would be a waste of billions of dollars…I’m all for subways in terms of Geary, 19th ave/Daly City connecting with the Richmond/Downtown, or Van Ness(in the future). To help the M line, that short northbound stretch of right of way approaching Winston should be autoproofed, priority signals need to be installed at the 3 intersections I mentioned plus a lot more streetcars should be on the M line in general. If Muni did those 3 things then the M line can definitely be improved.
This is actually really good news…Muni should’ve done this a good 2 decades ago, though….It’s about time that northbound stretch of the M’s right of way near Winston gets autoproofed…..Also, priority signals should be installed in both the north and southbound directions at the Holloway, Junipero Serra and Winston intersections..
That way the M would go noticeably faster along the 19th ave right of way since the signals would permit it to cross all the intersections first, followed by pedestrians, bicyclists/cars crossing afterwards. Lastly, Muni needs to operate more streetcars on the M line..Especially during evening rush hour.