When the SF Municipal Transportation Agency’s (SFMTA) Board of Directors passed a resolution in June 2019 to streamline street safety projects through a new “quick-build” process, they also named the first seven streets that they would deliver. Now, less than two years later, nearly all of those projects are in the ground, with many more quick-builds implemented throughout the South of Market.
The quick-build projects in SoMa have brought much-needed safety improvements to the neighborhood by closing major gaps on dangerous corridors, bringing near-term improvements to long-term capital projects, and upgrading bike infrastructure on streets that previously had none. Our members often call out how slowly the City makes change, and quick-builds are a tool that finally brings urgency to fixing our streets that need improvements the most.
Right now, the City has multiple quick-build projects currently under construction, including: Fifth Street, Seventh Street, Eighth Street, and Folsom Street. We’re excited that Folsom Street, the first quick-build process that went through a virtual outreach process, will be constructed by the end of March. This quick-build fills the gap between Second and Fifth streets so that you have a fully protected bike lane on all of Folsom Street in SoMa. Bike signals, transit boarding islands and pedestrian safety improvements add even more to ensure these three blocks are safe for people who bike and walk.
We know that quick-build projects are only successful because community stakeholders, local residents and advocates are pushing in unison. With more and more quick-build projects wrapping up construction, that means more are on the way. If you want to be part of the campaign to keep building out SoMa’s bike network, sign up below to stay in touch.
