New Bikeways and Walkways on Townsend Street

New, protected bikeways and walkways are now taking shape on Townsend Street, between 5th and 7th streets.

Over the next few weeks, people traveling to, from or through the Caltrain Station area will see (and get to use!):

• New, parking-protected bikeways and walkways between 5th and 7th streets
• An updated parking layout (replacing the back-in angled parking with standard parallel parking)
• More visible intersections and upgraded crosswalks
• Better placed zones for uses like tour bus loading, motorcycle parking and bike share stations

Project rendering of Townsend Street between 5th and 7th streets

After starting work this month, city crews have been quickly working on the SFMTA’s Townsend Corridor Improvement Project. Work recently completed as of today includes removing the old asphalt and repaving. Over the next several weeks, final work for this stretch of Townsend will include re-striping, sign and parking meter installation and the creation of green, separated bike lanes. 

See below for a photo gallery of our city crews in action!

Construction from 3rd to 5th streets begins in 2019

After completing the improvements between 5th and 7th streets, the next step for the Townsend Corridor Improvement Project will be to start work between 3rd and 5th streets. The heaviest lift, of course, will be construction in front of the Caltrain Station (Townsend between 4th and 5th streets.) Work will be coordinated across multiple public agencies and transportation providers to minimize inconveniencing the public during construction as much as possible. 

Starting in 2019, work will begin to install a new boarding island and walkway in front of the station, coupled with an updated street layout to discourage double-parking and create a more organized roadway for everyone.

A critical addition between 3rd and 5th streets will be a new boarding island. Designed to create dedicated spaces for the various passenger pick-up and drop-off activities happening at Caltrain, the boarding island will also serve the much-needed dual functions as both a walkway and physical separation between people biking, traffic and people walking.

As the city works to finalize construction timing and work phasing, we’ll be notifying neighbors, commuters, businesses and the broader public about what to expect and how to plan accordingly.

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