The 22 Fillmore bus line, a vital artery for over 20,000 daily commuters in San Francisco, once faced significant slowdowns, particularly along 16th Street, with speeds dipping below 4 miles per hour. Recognizing the need for improvement, the 16th Street Improvement Project was launched. This community-driven initiative aimed to revolutionize the transit experience, making the 22 Fillmore faster, safer, more accessible, and more dependable. Through strategic enhancements such as dedicated transit-only lanes, widened boarding areas (transit bulbs), updated traffic and pedestrian signals, and refreshed streetscapes, the project has dramatically transformed 16th Street. This crucial undertaking is a cornerstone of Muni Forward, San Francisco’s ongoing commitment to creating a superior transit network for everyone.
This ambitious project unfolded in two key phases. Phase one, stretching from Potrero Avenue to 3rd Street, reached completion in 2020, delivering immediate benefits to the eastern segment of 16th Street. The subsequent phase, encompassing the area between Church Street and Potrero Avenue, was finalized in 2023, extending these improvements westward. Further enhancements are on the horizon, with the addition of distinctive red transit-only lanes planned for the latter half of 2024, representing a separate but complementary phase of work to solidify transit priority on 16th Street.
Project Milestones and Community Impact
The 16th Street Improvement Project was guided by a clear set of objectives, each designed to maximize the positive impact on both transit users and the broader community:
- Boosting Transit Reliability and Speed: The primary goal was to cut down travel time for the 18,000 daily riders of the 22 Fillmore within the project zone by nearly 25%.
- Enhancing Safety for All: A core focus was improving safety on 16th Street for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike, creating a more secure environment for everyone.
- Improving Bike Connectivity: The project aimed to strengthen the bicycle route linking the Mission District to Mission Bay, encouraging sustainable transportation options.
- Modernizing Infrastructure: Crucially, the project included upgrades to the aging underground sewer infrastructure, with Phase 1 also incorporating vital water infrastructure improvements east of Potrero Avenue.
- Supporting Zero-Emission Transit: Facilitating zero-emission transit service to connect the rapidly growing Mission Bay neighborhood with the Mission District was a key environmental objective.
To ensure responsible use of public funds and minimize disruption, the project strategically combined transit improvements with essential infrastructure upgrades. Phase 1 included the replacement of outdated underground water lines along 16th Street from Potrero Avenue to 3rd Street, maximizing efficiency and reducing future construction needs.
To enable zero-emission trolley bus service to Mission Bay, the overhead contact system (OCS) powering electric buses on 16th Street was extended from Kansas Street to Third Street. This extension was critical for allowing the 22 Fillmore to serve the expanding Mission Bay area directly. Complementing these transit improvements, new bike lanes on 17th Street were implemented, creating a continuous and safer cycling route between Mission Bay and the Mission District, promoting multi-modal transportation.
Alongside the physical improvements to 16th Street, the 22 Fillmore route was strategically adjusted at its eastern end to better serve the burgeoning job market, residential growth, and healthcare facilities in Mission Bay. To maintain service for residents of Potrero Hill and the Dogpatch, a new route, the 55 Dogpatch, was established through a collaborative community process, ensuring continued transit access for these neighborhoods.
Project Outcomes: A Better 16th Street for Everyone
The 16th Street Improvement Project has delivered tangible benefits across multiple fronts, creating a more efficient, safer, and aesthetically pleasing corridor:
Enhanced Transit Performance: Dedicated transit lanes are now a reality, allowing buses to bypass traffic congestion, significantly reducing delays and providing a smoother, more predictable ride for passengers. Transit bulbs, or sidewalk extensions at bus stops, offer more boarding space and enable quicker passenger loading and unloading without buses having to pull out of the traffic lane. Strategic bus stop adjustments, including consolidating closely spaced stops and relocating others to the far side of intersections, further optimize travel times and service reliability.
Safer Streets for Pedestrians and Cyclists: Pedestrian bulbs at intersection corners are a key safety feature, shortening crossing distances for pedestrians and encouraging slower, safer turns by vehicles. New, highly visible crosswalks enhance pedestrian visibility, alerting drivers and improving safety for those on foot.
Revitalized Streetscape: The project has transformed the visual appeal of the 16th Street corridor with the introduction of new trees, landscaping, distinctive sidewalk designs, and updated bus shelters adorned with locally inspired imagery. Over 100 new trees have been planted, replacing less healthy trees at a ratio exceeding 3-to-1, significantly enhancing the green canopy and public spaces along the street.
Upgraded Utility Infrastructure: By integrating utility upgrades into the 16th Street Improvement Project, the city has maximized resource efficiency and minimized community disruption. Working in partnership with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), aging sewer mains were replaced from Dolores Street to South Van Ness Avenue, ensuring the long-term reliability of essential infrastructure.
Muni Forward: A Vision for Transit Excellence
Building on the Transportation Effectiveness Program
The 16th Street Improvement Project, initially known as the “22 Fillmore Transit Priority Project,” is a direct outcome of the Transportation Effectiveness Program (TEP), now known as Muni Forward. Muni Forward represents a comprehensive, city-wide strategy to enhance the Muni system’s performance, focusing on improving reliability, increasing speed, and boosting overall effectiveness. This system-wide approach acknowledges that the efficient operation of key, high-ridership routes like the 22 Fillmore is crucial for the overall success of public transportation throughout San Francisco. The improvements on 16th Street exemplify Muni Forward’s commitment to creating a transit system that effectively serves both its riders and the city as a whole, particularly within vital neighborhoods like the Mission District and extending to the growing Mission Bay area.
