Photo by SFMTA Photography
The I-280 Northbound Geneva Avenue and I-280 Southbound Ocean Avenue off-ramps touch down on busy arterials which carry high volumes of people driving, walking, and biking to get to destinations like Balboa Park, the Balboa Park BART and Muni Station, Lick Wilmerding High School, City College of San Francisco, and more. Based on community concerns about safety needs in the area and recommendations from the Transportation Authority’s 2014 Balboa Park Station Area Circulation Study, we initiated conceptual planning for both off-ramps and completed environmental review of the reconfiguration of the I-280 Ocean Avenue off-ramp last year.
This month the Transportation Authority Board approved funding to advance both projects, recommended as part of the Balboa Park Station Area Circulation Study:
- $2.1 million for design of the I-280 Southbound Ocean Avenue Off-Ramp Realignment Project
- $250,000 for the I-280 Northbound Geneva Avenue Off-Ramp Modification Feasibility Study
I-280 Southbound Ocean Avenue Off-Ramp Realignment
This project will realign the existing off-ramp from a free flow right turn to a signalized T-intersection. This realignment will support safety for pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the intersection.
The current ramp configuration requires pedestrians traveling along the northern side of Ocean Avenue to cross the southbound I-280 off-ramp at an uncontrolled crosswalk where vehicles exit the freeway at high speeds.
The project will also coordinate with SFMTA to make improvements to Ocean Avenue, such as installing bike lanes and improving traffic signal timing.
The design phase of this project, led by the Transportation Authority, will cost $2.1 million, with $1.05 million programmed from San Francisco’s half-cent sales tax for transportation and $1.05 million matched from state Local Partnership Program funding. Design for this project is expected to be complete by September 2023 and construction complete by December 2025.
I-280 Northbound Geneva Avenue Off-Ramp Modification Feasibility Study
The Transportation Authority will analyze opportunities for safety at Geneva Avenue I-280 off-ramp and intersection, will conduct traffic analysis, develop concepts, and provide recommendations. Potential strategies may include restriping or lengthening the off-ramp.
The study is expected to be completed by September 2022. $250,000 in funding from San Francisco’s half-cent sales tax for transportation is dedicated to the study.
Resources
Balboa Park Station Circulation Improvements
Balboa Park Station Circulation Study Final Report, April 2014 (PDF)
June 8 Transportation Authority Board Presentation (PDF)
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