San Bruno Ave Multimodal Improvement Project

Completed Transit Reliability and Pedestrian Safety Improvements

The San Bruno Multimodal Improvement Project incorporates elements from several ongoing strategic planning initiatives including Muni Forward and Vision Zero. Below is a summary of completed improvements in support of citywide policies:

Traffic Signal Upgrades on San Bruno Avenue:

1. The new traffic signal at Felton St was activated in early November to help manage traffic and pedestrian activity at this busy intersection, which was previously controlled by stop signs. The existing outbound 8, 8AX and 9 bus stop will move across the street from Walgreens to O’Reilly Auto Parts. By relocating the bus zone across the intersection, buses can initiate transit signal priority for a green light extension that will allow the bus to continue through the intersection, minimizing delay.
   • December 2019 Update: The relocation of the outbound Felton bus stop is currently on hold. In response to merchant feedback, the project will restore 3 spaces, shortening the zone. The tradeoff is that the shortened bus zone will not accommodate two buses arriving at the same time. 5 metered spaces will be removed for the new bus zone and 5 metered spaces will be added to the former bus zone next to Walgreens for neutral parking impact.
2. Rapid Flashing Beacons at Burrows St and Wayland St.: To improve pedestrian visibility on San Bruno Ave, the new rapid flashing beacons flash when pedestrians activate the push button prior to crossing the street.

 Transit Bulbs and Pedestrian Bulbouts (Sidewalk Extensions) on San Bruno Avenue:

1. Five new transit bulbs were installed on Silver (inbound), Thornton (inbound), Bacon (inbound), Bacon (outbound), and Mansell (outbound). The total parking impact for the transit bulbs and bus zone extensions is the removal of 18 parking spaces between Mansell and Silver. The extended bus stops accommodate 60’ buses of the 8, 8AX, and 9R lines. The benefits of transit bulbs include:
   • Eliminates need for buses to exit and re-enter the travel lane, saving travel time and making the bus ride smoother for paseengers
   • Easier and safer boarding for seniors and persons with disabilities
   • More space for waiting passengers, transit shelters, landscaping and other amenities
     
     Two new shelters with more seating and NextMuni at new inbound transit bulb on San Bruno Ave at Bacon. 
      
2. Six new pedestrian bulbs were completed on Woolsey (northwest, southwest, and southeast corners), Wayland (northwest and southwest corners), and Burrows (southwest corner). These locations were prioritized based on vehicle-pedestrian collision history. Between 2014 and 2018, 48 collisions on San Bruno Ave between Arleta and Silver involved a pedestrian. The total parking impact of the pedestrian bulbouts is the removal of 6 parking spaces between Mansell and Silver. Sidewalk extensions were also built at the Brussels Street Stairs to shorten the crossing distance on San Bruno Ave. The benefits of pedestrian bulbouts include:  
   • Increased the visibility of pedestrians waiting to cross the street and shortens crossing distances
   • Slowed down turning vehicles
   • Added accessible curb ramps

Turn Pockets for Traffic Flow on San Bruno Avenue:

1. Since the San Bruno Avenue commercial corridor is one traffic lane in each direction with parking on both sides of the street, it can be challenging when double parking or parallel parking occur as it blocks travel lanes. Turn pockets can help move traffic by dedicating space to turning vehicles and allowing through travel lanes to remain open. By evaluating collision data, traffic movements, and transit operations, the original plan for the turn pockets were approved for the following locations:
   •  Silver Ave (removes 5 metered parking spaces for widened travel lane to make it easier for 9R to turn right and provides space for right turning vehicles)
   • Silliman St (removes 2 parking spaces for waiting vehicles to queue up in the right turn pocket into San Bruno Ave Supermarket parking lot)
   • Bacon St, northwest corner (removes 5 parking spaces for right turn pocket)
   • Bacon Street, southeast corner (removes 4 parking spaces for right turn pocket)
2. December 2019 Update: In response to merchant feedback, 3 parking spaces will be restored at Bacon, 2 spaces in the northwest corner and 1 space in the southeast corner. 6 spaces instead of 9 will be removed for the turn pockets. 1 additional space will also be added by converting a long parking space immediately north of the inbound Bacon transit bulb into 2 spaces. These changes are the first priority in the list of new proposed changes.

Other Improvements on San Bruno Avenue:

1. Bike Lanes between Mansell and Dwight (future date to be determined)
2. Daylighting at Silliman to improve pedestrian visibility at crosswalks and at Dwight to provide more space for 29 Sunset left turn from Paul to San Bruno Avenue
3. Metered parking expansion on San Bruno Ave between Wayland and Woolsey
4. Upgrades to high visibility crosswalks
5. Modifications to yellow commercial loading zones