Public Tours Improvements Coming to Van Ness Avenue

More than 40 people joined us last week for a walking tour of the Van Ness Improvement Project to learn about the transit and safety improvements expected to break ground this spring on Van Ness Avenue between Mission and North Point streets.

The tour group walks on South Van Ness Avenue from Mission to Market Street.

Attendees got the chance to discuss details with SFMTA staff and compare existing conditions with renderings showing the vision for Van Ness with improvements for pedestrian safety, Bus Rapid Transit with center-running transit-only lanes, new trees and more.

The one-mile tour began outside SFMTA headquarters at Van Ness and Market Street. At intersections like Mission, McAllister, Grove and Hayes streets, we explained safety improvements like sidewalk extensions, pedestrian countdown signals, better street lighting and more visible traffic signals.

The tour starts in front of SFMTA headquarters.

We also discussed the history of Van Ness, which we’ve worked to preserve with the help of the San Francisco Planning Department and the Historic Preservation Committee. After the 1906 earthquake, buildings on Van Ness were demolished to create a fire break. The United Nations Charter was also signed in the War Memorial Veterans Building’s Herbst Theatre in 1945.

More walking tours are planned throughout the Van Ness Improvement Project’s planning and construction, including on the northern and middle segments of Van Ness. To be the first to hear about these walks, be sure to sign up for project updates.

The tour group at Van Ness and McAllister Street in front of City Hall.

A rendering of a future Van Ness Avenue with a bus boarding platform and new trees planted in the street median.