Polk Street stands as a vital artery in San Francisco, serving as both a bustling commercial hub and a crucial transportation route. This well-trafficked corridor is not only home to the #19 Muni bus line, a key connection to Civic Center BART and various other Muni lines, but also a popular north-south bicycle path favored for its level terrain. Equally important, Polk Street attracts a significant number of pedestrians, rivaling the foot traffic seen on Valencia Street in the Mission District and Irving Street in the Inner Sunset.
Recognizing the importance of this vibrant street, the Polk Streetscape Project was conceived with a vision to create a space that works better for everyone. The core principle behind this project is to ensure safe and accessible passage for all road users, regardless of age or ability. Through extensive community input and thorough technical evaluations, a comprehensive design has been developed, incorporating corridor-wide safety enhancements and adding appealing streetscape features at key points along Polk Street.
Project Goals: Enhancing Polk Street for All
The Polk Streetscape Project is guided by three fundamental objectives, all aimed at elevating the street’s function and appeal for the community:
- Prioritizing Safety for Everyone: This is the paramount goal. The project seeks to implement measures that significantly reduce accidents and injuries for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike, making Polk Street a safer environment for all who use it.
- Creating a Welcoming Space for Pedestrians and Cyclists: Beyond safety, the project aims to make Polk Street more inviting and enjoyable for those who prefer to walk or bike. This involves creating a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment that encourages active transportation.
- Developing a Green and Vibrant Corridor: The vision extends to transforming Polk Street into a visually appealing and environmentally friendly corridor. This includes incorporating green spaces and landscaping to enhance the street’s atmosphere for residents, visitors, and businesses in the Polk Street area.
Addressing Safety Needs and Embracing Vision Zero
San Francisco is deeply committed to eliminating traffic fatalities. The alarming statistic that approximately 30 people are killed and 200 seriously injured each year on city streets underscores the urgency of this commitment. San Francisco’s adoption of Vision Zero in 2014 reflects this dedication, setting the ambitious goal of zero traffic deaths by 2024. This policy involves a multi-faceted approach encompassing safer street design, public education on traffic safety, rigorous enforcement of traffic laws, and strategic allocation of resources to effective life-saving initiatives.
Polk Street’s own safety record highlights the critical need for improvements. Data reveals that over a five-year period, there were 122 collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists on Polk Street. Alarmingly, the southern section of Polk Street, stretching from Sacramento to McAllister Streets, falls within the 6% of San Francisco streets that account for over half of the city’s most severe pedestrian accidents. The Polk Streetscape Project directly addresses this issue by implementing proven safety measures to target and reduce the disproportionately high number of traffic incidents on this key thoroughfare, directly supporting the goals of Vision Zero.
Proposed Design Enhancements for a Modern Polk Street
The proposed design for the Polk Streetscape Project is the result of extensive collaboration and feedback gathered over two years from residents, local businesses, and community organizations. This collaborative approach has shaped a safer and more functional streetscape design, incorporating several key improvements:
- Protected Bikeway (Northbound): Between McAllister and Pine Streets, a protected bikeway is planned for the northbound direction. This will provide a dedicated and safer space for cyclists, separated from vehicle traffic.
- Green Bike Lane (Southbound): For the southbound direction between Union and Post Streets, a new green bike lane is proposed. The green color visually highlights the bike lane, increasing awareness for both cyclists and drivers.
- Upgraded Existing Bikeways: Existing bike lanes will be enhanced with green paint, painted buffers, and green-backed “sharrows.” These upgrades aim to improve visibility and reinforce the presence of cyclists on the road.
- Pedestrian Safety Features: A range of pedestrian safety enhancements are included, such as corner “bulbouts” (curb extensions), daylighting (improving visibility at intersections), crosswalk upgrades, and traffic signal improvements. These measures are designed to make pedestrian crossings safer and more visible.
- Transit Enhancements: The project includes optimizing public transit along Polk Street through bus stop consolidation, relocation, and the addition of bus bulbs (sidewalk extensions at bus stops). These changes aim to improve bus efficiency and accessibility.
- Public Realm Improvements: To enhance the overall street environment, the project incorporates landscaping, improved street lighting, and alley enhancements. These public realm improvements will contribute to a more attractive and welcoming atmosphere on Polk Street.
- Commercial Loading Zone Optimization: The project also addresses the practical needs of businesses by optimizing commercial loading zones, ensuring efficient delivery and service access while minimizing disruption to traffic flow.
Community Engagement: A Collaborative Approach
Community engagement has been central to the Polk Streetscape Project from its inception. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) prioritized a comprehensive outreach and engagement process to ensure the public was well-informed and had ample opportunity to contribute to the project’s development.
Since August 2012, project staff have actively engaged with the community through various channels:
- Over 50 Meetings with Community Groups: Project staff held more than 50 separate meetings with residents, merchants, and community groups to discuss the project, gather feedback, and address concerns.
- 5 Public Open Houses and Design Workshops: Five widely publicized public open houses and design workshops were hosted, providing platforms for the community to learn about the project in detail and participate in shaping the design.
- 6 Public and Merchant Walking Tours: Six walking tours were organized for the public and merchant groups, offering firsthand opportunities to experience Polk Street and discuss proposed improvements in situ.
Beyond these structured events, project staff remained accessible to the public, encouraging ongoing communication and feedback throughout the planning phase.
Project Timeline and Funding
The Polk Streetscape Project has progressed through several key phases:
- Community Outreach and Planning: August 2012 – March 2014
- Environmental Review: September 2014 – January 2015
- Engineering Public Hearing: January 30, 2015
- SFMTA Board Approvals: March 3, 2015
- Detailed Design: Spring 2015 – Winter 2016
- Construction: Fall 2016 – 2018
The project is financially supported by the 2011 Proposition B general obligation bonds, aligning its timeline with San Francisco Public Works’ paving initiatives. The estimated total cost of the Polk Streetscape Project is approximately $8.2 million. The 2011 Road Repaving and Streets Safety Bond, approved by San Francisco voters, has allocated funds specifically for the planning and construction of this project. This investment reflects the city’s commitment to addressing long-standing infrastructure needs and creating a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone who utilizes Polk Street, whether driving, walking, or cycling.
