5th Street in San Francisco’s vibrant SoMa district serves as a crucial north-south artery, connecting motorists to the Bay Bridge and I-80. Originally designed to prioritize high-speed vehicle and truck traffic to and from the city, this thoroughfare has become less than ideal for pedestrians, cyclists, and even drivers navigating the area today. The wide, vehicle-dominated roads, remnants of a warehousing and industrial past, are increasingly out of sync with modern transportation priorities and the needs of the growing residential community.
Significant investment in housing and economic development has transformed the areas surrounding 5th Street. Projects like 5M and the upcoming Flower Mart development are bringing thousands of new residents and jobs to SoMa. The 5th Street Improvement Project is designed to mitigate the impact of this growth on traffic flow and enhance the overall experience for everyone using 5th Street. Crucially, long-term residents, including older adults and people with disabilities living near the project area, stand to gain significantly from improved and safer mobility options.
The Urgent Need for Improvement on 5th Street
5th Street’s inclusion in San Francisco’s Vision Zero High Injury Network underscores the critical need for change. This network highlights that a mere 13 percent of San Francisco streets account for a staggering 75 percent of severe and fatal traffic collisions. Between 2015 and 2019 alone, 5th Street witnessed 10 severe crashes. The 5th Street Improvement Project is a vital step towards making the road safer for all users and helping San Francisco achieve its ambitious Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities.
The project aims to improve connections to public transit hubs, including Muni buses, Muni Metro, and BART, making it easier to walk, bike, or roll to these services. Furthermore, 5th Street is envisioned as a key link for cyclists accessing east-west bike routes. By transforming 5th Street into a safer and more welcoming space for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike, the project will revitalize this corridor, fostering a more inviting and livable environment for all while effectively managing transportation demands in this rapidly evolving neighborhood.
Quick Build Project: Immediate Enhancements on 5th Street (Completed 2020)
Recognizing the urgency, the 5th Street project implemented a near-term Quick Build phase, completed in 2020, following extensive public engagement. These fast-tracked improvements delivered immediate safety and comfort enhancements:
- Paint-buffered bikeways: Dedicated bike lanes were created along the entire length of 5th Street, separated from vehicle traffic by painted buffers, improving cyclist safety and comfort.
- Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs): Pedestrians now receive a head start when crossing intersections, increasing their visibility and safety by allowing them to enter the crosswalk before vehicles get a green light.
- Pedestrian safety striping treatments: Enhanced crosswalk markings, particularly at high-risk intersections, improve pedestrian visibility and safety when crossing 5th Street.
- Signal timing improvements: Optimized traffic signal timings, including separated bike signals at key intersections, streamline traffic flow and prioritize safety for all modes of transport.
- Transit boarding islands: These islands enhance the reliability of public transit by providing dedicated boarding areas for passengers, improving comfort and efficiency.
Long-Term Vision: The 5th Street Improvement Project
Building upon the Quick Build successes, the long-term 5th Street Improvement Project is currently in its detailed design phase, expected to be completed in early 2027. Construction will commence once funding is secured, bringing more substantial and permanent changes to 5th Street:
- Sidewalk bulb-outs/extensions: Expanding sidewalks at key intersection corners, especially near I-80 freeway ramps, will shorten crossing distances for pedestrians and improve visibility.
- New traffic signals and signal upgrades: Corridor-wide upgrades and new traffic signals will further optimize traffic flow and safety at intersections along 5th Street.
- Mid-block crosswalks: Introducing crosswalks at strategic mid-block locations will improve pedestrian access and connectivity across 5th Street.
- Raised crosswalks at alleyways: Elevated crosswalks at alley entrances will enhance pedestrian priority and safety in these areas.
- Upgrading painted buffers to concrete separated bikeways: Replacing painted bike lane buffers with concrete barriers will provide a higher level of protection and security for cyclists on 5th Street.
- Protected intersection at 5th Street and Brannan Street: This intersection will be redesigned to enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians with protected turns and crossings.
- Slip lane closure at 5th and Mission Streets: Eliminating the slip lane will simplify the intersection and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Project Goals: Balancing Safety, Livability, and Growth on 5th Street
The overarching goals of the 5th Street Improvement Project are clear:
- Balance safety and reliability improvements: Enhance safety for all transportation modes on 5th Street while maintaining efficient traffic flow.
- Address future transportation demands: Accommodate the anticipated transportation needs arising from ongoing residential and commercial development in the SoMa neighborhood.
- Create a livable and inviting 5th Street: Transform 5th Street into a more welcoming and enjoyable space for all users, fostering a stronger sense of community.
Project Timeline: From Concept to Construction on 5th Street
The 5th Street Improvement Project has progressed through several key phases:
- Fall 2017: Conceptual design alternatives developed and evaluated, stakeholder interviews conducted.
- Winter 2018 – Spring 2019: Conceptual designs refined through Open House #1 (January 2018), Stakeholder Workshop (November 2018), Open House #2 (April 2019), and community office hours (April 2019). Final conceptual design developed.
- Spring 2019 – Summer 2019: Environmental clearance and legislative approvals obtained.
- Fall 2019 – Winter 2021: Construction of quick-build improvements completed.
- Summer 2022 – Fall 2023: Construction of curb ramps and transit boarding islands.
- Fall 2024 – Early 2027: Detailed design for long-term improvements underway.
Construction for the long-term 5th Street Improvement Project will begin as soon as funding is secured, marking the next significant step in realizing a safer, more vibrant, and people-centric 5th Street for San Francisco’s SoMa district.
