If you travel on Van Ness Avenue, prepare for a traffic lane shift starting next week.
Beginning on the evening of Monday, September 14, the Van Ness Improvement Project will begin shifting lanes on Van Ness Avenue so that work on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system can continue in the middle of the street.
This summer, the project reached a significant milestone by completing the utilities phase and moving into the BRT buildout phase. The utilities phase focused on updating essential services that San Franciscans rely on, such as water and sewer systems, a firefighting system and street lighting. The new BRT buildout phase will include building out red transit lanes, putting in new medians and bus stops, connecting new traffic signal lights, and installing plants and an irrigation system.
On the evening of Monday, September 14, southbound lanes between Pacific and Lombard streets will move over one lane, utilizing the lane closest to the curb. On the evening of Tuesday, September 15, the same thing will happen on the northbound lanes between Pacific and Lombard streets. Work will be performed from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Once the switch has been completed, there will be two lanes available in each direction for motorists at all times.
When completed, center-running red transit lanes in the middle of Van Ness will serve the BRT system, with two lanes for traffic on either side.
To prepare for this traffic and construction switch, we encourage testing alternate routes early and consider avoiding Van Ness on Monday and Tuesday nights as we make the switch. Take transit, walk or bike when possible. Remember that San Francisco is still under a Stay Home Order. Staying home helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
With these changes, fencing for safety will be maintained as needed. Driveway access will be mostly restored, but there may be short tasks that require temporary driveway closures, in which case advance notice will be provided.
Project Background
The Van Ness Improvement Project is bringing San Francisco its first Bus Rapid Transit system, a much-needed and globally-proven solution to improve transit service and address traffic congestion on Van Ness Avenue, a major north-south arterial. To maximize the benefits during construction, the project also includes extensive utility maintenance, civic improvements and safety enhancements that will revitalize this historic corridor.
Some features of Bus Rapid Transit on Van Ness will include:
1) Dedicated transit-only lanes that are physically separated from the other traffic lanes.
2) Enhanced traffic signals optimized for buses.
3) Low-floor vehicles and all-door boarding.
4) Safety enhancements for people walking.
5) Fully furnished boarding platforms that include shelters, seating and prediction displays.