|
About the project
The Balboa Park Station Bicycle and Pedestrian Connection Project is intended to lead to improved safety for bicyclists and pedestrians in the vicinity of Balboa Park Station.
Project elements include:
- Improving pedestrian and bicycle safety.
- Reducing pedestrian and vehicular conflicts.
- Increasing access to transit.
- Streetscape improvements.
  
Description of Project
Start Date: January 2009 Completion: September 2009
Study Focus
- The 2002 Balboa Park Station Area Plan, developed by the Planning Department discusses the need to improve connectivity and passenger amenities around the station through the creation of a “transit station neighborhood”. To date, no improvements have been made to support this vision as the plan is currently undergoing environmental clearance. The Environmental Impact Report was finalized in September 2008, after which it will be presented to the San Francisco Planning Commission for review and certification.
- This project will incorporate the projects previously identified in the Bike Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and does not propose additional bicycle improvements beyond those identified in the EIR.
- The work that will be undertaken in this study will not only support both the Area Plan and the Transit Effectiveness Project but will also provide the basis for seeking funding to begin the implementation of improvements identified as a result of the project.
Balboa Park Station Pedestrian and Bicycle Connection Project
Project study area shown in dark purple
View full-size version of the study area map
Accessible description of the study area map
The Balboa Park Station Pedestrian and Bicycle Connection Project will address activities along both Ocean and Geneva avenues. Through this study, the SFMTA seeks to:
- Increase travel by foot and transit.
- Improve safety while increasing access by reducing collisions.
- Test innovative measures to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Improve both Ocean and Geneva avenues by upgrading street lighting, landscaping and street furniture.
Anticipated specific benefits include:
- A major improvement to pedestrian and bicyclist comfort and safety.
- A better end-to-end transit experience for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Support for transit-oriented development projects.
- Increased transit ridership and rider retention.
- Improved directional signage in and around the station.
   
Community Outreach
There will be three community meetings for this study: the first focused on the issues and concerns; the second on improvement concepts; and the final on the steps to implementation of highest ranked improvements.
Community Meeting #1 took place on April 16th at Lick-Wilmerding High School. A large group of community stakeholders, including District 11 Supervisor John Avalos, met with City staff and project consultants to go over the focus of the study and to view maps showing areas of concerns. Following a short presentation, participants broke into small groups to talk about their concerns and hopes for the station area and to offer suggestions on improvements.
  
Some of the specific concerns expressed by the neighborhood were:
- Safer pedestrian access on Geneva Avenue between San Jose and I-280.
- Lack of pedestrian amenities on Ocean Avenue (to access to Balboa Park and BART).
- Lack of bicycle routes / lanes on Geneva and Ocean Avenues.
- Narrow sidewalk widths on Ocean Avenue.
- Pedestrian-vehicular conflicts near I-280 on and off ramps on both Geneva and Ocean Avenues.
- Lack of curb ramps on sidewalks (some not ADA compliant).
- Muni bus and Metro boarding areas on Geneva Avenue.
Community Meeting #2 took place on June 18th at Lick-Wilmerding High School. At this meeting, improvement concepts were presented community members discussed proposals and assisted in developing priorities for implementation.
Community Meeting #3
The third and final public workshop for the Balboa Park Station Pedestrian and Bicycle Connection Project was held on September 9 at Lick-Wilmerding High School. The third workshop focused on ranking the rage of possible pedestrian and bicycle improvements that were presented at the second workshop and subsequently refined by the Project Team.
Project Ranking by Residents
The top priorities from the ranking exercise were as follows:
- Stripe crosswalks across Ocean Avenue and construct curb extensions at I-280 northbound on-ramp. Curb ramp extension will require Caltrans approval.
- Improve pedestrian crossings at southbound I-280 Off-ramp to Ocean Avenue.
- Install Class II bike lanes on Ocean Avenue.
- Reconfigure westbound approach to San Jose and San Jose /Geneva intersection.
- Improve transit operations on Geneva Avenue between Howth Street and I-280
- Remove southbound and westbound free right turn lanes at Phelan Avenue.
Funding
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) recently submitted a grant application to TransForm, a non-profit organization based in Oakland which administers the Safe Routes to Transit program. If the grant is awarded, the funds will be used to help pay for the installation of many of the projects proposed in the study. The SFMTA will continue to identify funding source for all proposed improvements.
Study Report
A report will be issued discussing the entire study including providing drawings of proposed improvement concepts. The study report will be available in mid-November.
Explore:
|
