In about a week, crews will begin implementing more safety improvements included in the West Portal Station Safety and Community Space Improvements Project.
This work will include traffic calming improvements on Wawona and Ulloa streets, safety improvements at the five-way Vicente Street/Wawona Street/Madrone Avenue intersection, vehicle restrictions and transit lanes.
We expect implementation work to take place between late September and early October 2024.
Beginning as early as September 18: installation of traffic calming treatments on Wawona Street, Ulloa Street, and five-way intersection
Improvements to be implemented:
- On Wawona Street, we will be installing speed cushions and speed tables (a wider versions of speed humps) on the three blocks between Taraval and 14th streets.
- On Ulloa Street, we will be adding raised elements like low-profile rubber speed bumps and paint to calm traffic and turns at the intersections between Forest Side Avenue and West Portal Avenue.
- At the five-way intersection of Vicente Street/Wawona Street/Madrone Avenue, we will construct islands near the curb in several places. These islands will require drivers to make slower, safer turns and help protect people walking in the crosswalks. While this work is not part of the West Portal Station Safety and Community Space Improvements Project, it will be implemented during this same period.
We expect this work to begin as soon as September 18 and be complete by the end of the month. Work would only occur during daytime hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Traffic Impacts:
- We expect traffic will be allowed in both directions at all times, but drivers should use caution and be mindful of workers directing traffic.
Parking impacts:
- Temporary impacts to parking are likely at the curb near speed cushions, speed tables and concrete islands. Please watch for signs.
Noise impacts:
- There may be some noise during work on Wawona Street.
Early October: Vehicle restrictions implemented and transit lanes installed
We expect to implement three vehicle restrictions in early October:
- No left turns from northbound West Portal Avenue onto Ulloa Street
- No westbound through traffic on Ulloa Street at West Portal Avenue
- No left turns from southbound West Portal Avenue onto Vicente Street
Implementation will include installing signage and pavement markings to alert drivers of the new vehicle restrictions. Additionally, red transit lanes will be installed on small segments of West Portal Avenue and Ulloa Street to help reinforce these restrictions.
Coloring transit lanes is planned during late night hours to minimize disruption to daytime traffic and Muni service. We expect minor disruption from daytime work to install signage.
This work will follow the L Taraval line’s return to rail service, which begins Saturday, September 28.
One-Way Lenox Way Implementation Completed
In August, we converted Lenox Way to one-way southbound traffic. Converting Lenox Way to one-way traffic will improve traffic safety by decreasing through-traffic on Ulloa Street in the West Portal Station area. It will also support compliance with the upcoming vehicle restrictions planned for the West Portal Avenue and Ulloa Street intersection. We completed this work in advance of the first day of school on August 19 in response to school feedback to establish this new travel pattern prior to the start of the school year.
Future Phases of Implementation
A few pieces of implementation work will continue later this fall.
Horseshoe redesign: The half circle outside West Portal Station, known as the “horseshoe” will be redesigned as a welcoming station entrance with elements including planters, a bikeshare station and a street mural. We’ll be working to finalize these designs and begin implementation later this fall.
Bikeshare station: The proposal to add a bikeshare station to the horseshoe will be considered at the Friday, September 20 Engineering Public Hearing (agenda item #26). Details on sharing public comments at the hearing or in writing before the meeting are available in the agenda.
Pedestrian crossing beacons: Beacons on Ulloa and Wawona streets will be installed later this year or in early 2025. This improvement needs additional time for design and construction.
Together, this work will holistically improve safety near West Portal Station.
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