Fact SheetLAST UPDATED

July 2014SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

The 19th Avenue Transit Study (Study) was a feasibility study led by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (Transportation Authority) between 2012 and 2014. The Study identified and evaluated feasible alternatives for a complete transformation of 19th Avenue between Eucalyptus Drive and Brotherhood Way. The highest-performing conceptual design identified in the Study would increase speed and reliability of the M-Ocean View light-rail by 35–45%, increase safety for transit riders, walkers, cyclists, and motorists; and simplify and green the street to improve neighborhood quality of life. With unanimous approval of the Study by the Transportation Authority Board in March 2014, the project has transitioned to its next phase of work (the Pre-Environmental Study) led by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency in continued partnership with the Transportation Authority and other agency and stakeholder partners. Download the Final Report at www.sfcta.org/19thave to learn more!

Why the 19th Avenue Transit Study?The Transportation Authority initiated the 19th Avenue Transit Study (Study) to follow through on commitments that the City and County of San Francisco made at the time of approval of the Parkmerced development by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The Parkmerced development will add more than 5,600 net new housing units and supportive mixed uses, approximately tripling the density of the site. Instrumental to that plan’s vision of a transit-oriented development was bringing the M-Ocean View out of the median of 19th Avenue and through the heart of the Parkmerced site to provide strong transit access to existing and new residents. Parkmerced is committed to implementing a relocation of the M-Ocean View through the site by creating two new at-grade crossings for the M-Ocean View to cross 19th Avenue at Holloway and at Junipero Serra. The Study developed alternatives to grade-separate (subway or bridge) the M-Ocean View crossings of 19th Avenue and bring it to the west side of the street between Stonestown Galleria and Parkmerced. As articulated in conditions in the Development Agreement, the City and County of San Francisco has until July 2018 to develop and approve an alternative grade-separated version of the project in order to coordinate with and use the investment Parkmerced is committed to making as local match to a larger project.

19th Avenue Transit Study Quick FactsWHAT: Proposed major capital investment to construct a light-rail tunnel under 19th Avenue, new track through Parkmerced, and a light-rail bridge over Junipero Serra Boulevard for the M-Ocean View light-rail. The project would also totally re-build and green the street with wider sidewalks, a landscaped median, and an off-street bike path.

WHERE: The areas surrounding the M-Ocean View between St. Francis Circle and Broad/Orizaba, including: Lakeside, Stonestown, SF State, Parkmerced, Merced Heights, Ingleside Heights, and Ocean View.

WHEN: Feasibility Study completed in March 2014. Pre-Environmental Study led by the SFMTA between July 2014 and 2015. Environmental review 2015-2018. Construction no sooner than 2020.

WHY: To follow through on improvements prioritized by the community during previous planning processes and to address existing needs to improve transit speed and reliability, pedestrian and cyclist safety and attractiveness, rail and bus stop comfort, private vehicle reliability, and create a greened, boulevard-like southern gateway entrance to San Francisco.

HOW MUCH: $520 million most likely capital cost (range: $420–780 million, in 2013 dollars), saving $2 million per year in cost to operate the M-Ocean View. Federal and state funding would be sought for the majority of the capital cost, matched by about $72 million in Parkmerced/SF State funding already committed.

As currently committed to in the Development Agreement, the M-Ocean View would leave 19th Avenue at Holloway and travel through the Parkmerced site, returning to 19th Avenue at Junipero Serra.

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M-OCEAN VIEW STATION

M-OCEAN VIEW

NEW AT-GRADE CROSSINGS ON 19TH AVE.

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HOLLOWAY STATION (Relocated to West side of 19th Ave.)

NEW PARKMERCED RETAIL STATION

NEW CHUMASERO STATION (Located on tail track)

TAIL TRACK (Along Font between Felix and Chumasero Station)

Alternatives Developed and EvaluatedThe Study identified four major transportation needs for the alternatives to address:

1. Slow M-Ocean View travel speeds and low reliability2. Unattractive, difficult transit access3. Challenging, unattractive pedestrian conditions4. Circuitous bike routing and challenging crossings

After evaluating several alternatives, the Study identified the Longer Subway and Bridge alternative as the highest performing alternative to be the focus of subsequent project development work. This alternative would take the M-Ocean View underground between St. Francis Circle and San Francisco State University, through Parkmerced at-grade, and cross Junipero Serra by way of a bridge landing on Randolph Street in the OMI neighborhood.

Portal in Lakeside private right-of-way, just south of St. Francis Circle.

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New station between Macy’s and Mercy High School with entrances on both sides of the street.

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SF State’s 19th Avenue frontage, reconfigured with wider sidewalks/bus stops, and a landscaped median.

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New buffered pedestrian and bicycle space on both sides of street.

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Bridge between Font and Randolph for light rail, cyclists, and pedestrians.

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(Optional) Upgraded station on Randolph at Arch with level boarding.

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Narrowed, calmer street, providing a signature entranceway to the Broad-Randolph corridor.

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At surfaceUndergroundAbove groundTail track to accomodate M-Short operation between Ocean View and Parkmerced

Light rail stop

Range of potential station location

We Listened, and Will Continue to Do So! The project team engaged in two rounds of intensive outreach, including a community meeting during each round and a series of presentations and discussions with neighborhood groups. Based on input received, we removed and modified some alternatives, as well as scoped for additional analysis during the next phase of work to inform decision-making on some alternatives characteristics that were common areas of discussion during outreach and could provide substantial performance benefits.

Eight Goals Guided the Development and Evaluation of 19th Avenue/M-Ocean View Alternatives

• Increase light rail operating performance, capacity, and flexibility• Improve light rail passenger experience and access• Enhance bus and shuttle operations and passenger access• Support strong and safe non-motorized connectivity• Enhance the corridor’s sense of place and improve neighborhood quality

of life• Manage auto travel and parking conditions; improve reliability of travel

time• Support transit-oriented land use plans • Produce a community-supported, feasible project

How to Get InvolvedAs the project has transitioned to leadership by the SFMTA, contact the SFMTA Project Manager, Liz Brisson at liz.brisson@sfmta.com or 415.701.4218.

Above: Improving light-rail speed and reliability as well as access to transit are two of the key needs the alternatives were designed to address. Below: Parkmerced is slated for approximately a tripling in residential population; San Francisco State University plans to grow its full-time student enrollment by 5,000.

The Study was shaped by substantial public involvement.

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1455 Market Street, 22nd Floor San Francisco, CA 94103project phone: 415.593.1655

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY