Photo by SFMTA Photography Department
Introduction
The Inner Sunset Transportation Study identified ways to improve safety and access within the commercial core of the neighborhood, so residents and visitors can enjoy its many amenities.
The recommendations fell into three types:
- Near-term, or implementable in the next 1-2 years
- Mid-term, or implementable in the next 2-5 years, though likely requiring additional design and outreach
- Long-term, or recommendations that require additional study, design, outreach and would expect to be implemented in more than 5 years
Community engagement took place at two points in the study process and included in person meetings, a community activity, surveys. Translation and interpretation was provided for each round of outreach.
Transportation Study Goals
The study team conducted on-site observations and analysis of transit and vehicle circulation, crash data, walking and rolling conditions, and parking and loading conditions. The study identified the following four project goals, which were confirmed during round one of outreach:
- Prioritize safety for vulnerable road users (defined as everyone traveling outside of a car).
- Improve transit reliability by minimizing transit delays and improving travel time for buses and rail in the study area.
- Enhance access to key destinations
- Sustain economic vitality
For a more detailed description of goals, learn about the project background here.
Project/Study Partners
This project is led by the Transportation Authority, in coordination with San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
The Transportation Authority’s Neighborhood Program is intended to strengthen project pipelines and advance the delivery of community supported neighborhood-scale projects, especially in Equity Priority Communities and other neighborhoods with high unmet need.
Timeline and Status
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Summer 2024
Study Area Goals and Needs
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Fall 2024
First Round of Community Outreach
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Winter 2025
Concept Development and Analysis
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Fall 2025
Second Round of Community Outreach
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Summer 2026
Final Report
Cost and Funding
This project was funded by the Transportation Authority’s Neighborhood Program at the request of District 7 Supervisor and Transportation Authority Board Member Myrna Melgar.
Resources
Prop L Transportation Sales Tax Funding Request (PDF)
Inner Sunset Transportation Study Final Report (PDF)
Contact
InnerSunset@sfcta.org
Description of Study Goals
From on-site observations and analysis of transit and vehicle circulation, crash data, walking and rolling conditions, and parking and loading conditions, the study identified the following four project goals, which were confirmed during round one of outreach:
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Prioritize safety for vulnerable road users (defined as everyone traveling outside of a car).Issues: Lincoln is on the High Injury Network, pedestrian and cyclist crashes concentrated in the study area
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Improve transit reliability by minimizing transit delays and improving travel time for bus and rail in the study areaIssues: Transit stuck in vehicle queues & blocked by double parking
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Enhance access to key destinationsIssues: Limited and high-stress bike options, long vehicle queues
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Sustain economic vitalityIssues: Circulation issues impacting access to goods, services, deliveries
Prior to the initiation of this work, the study area and nearby streets had seen a number of changes in the preceding five years with a focus on improvements to prioritize people walking and rolling as well as transit safety and reliability.
The image below summarizes the transportation projects that have been implemented in the study area in the preceding five years.
Recent and Planned Changes
2019
Inner Sunset Streetscape Improvements: A multi-agency collaboration improved service and aesthetics along the N Judah line, including Muni Forward transit bulbs, traffic safety updates, road repaving, and utility upgrades.
2019
Inner Sunset Curb Management Project: From 5th to 12th avenues between Lincoln Way and Judah Street, SFMTA reviewed and updated the allocation of curb space, expanding and optimizing the location of passenger and commercial loading.
2019 – 2021
New speed humps were approved and installed as part of neighborhood traffic calming programs.
2020
The SFMTA Slow Streets Program established 12th Avenue as a slow street, prioritized for active transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic. SFMTA also closed JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park to vehicle traffic to provide more space for recreation and active transportation.
2021 – 2022
Golden Gate Park Access and Safety Program: City agencies hosted a working group and community engagement to understand the level of support for car-free streets within the park. Of 9,000 survey respondents, 70% favored the car-free program. An accompanying Golden Gate Park Traffic Study showed that from 2019 and 2021, traffic volume decreased on major nearby streets while travel times for people driving did not change substantially. In 2022, San Francisco voters approved the permanent closure of JFK Drive to cars.
2024
Lincoln Way Quick-Build Project: SFMTA began construction to implement daylighting on 7th, 8th, and 10th avenues
2024
Golden Gate Park Gateway Improvements: San Francisco Recreation & Parks completed construction to redesign amenities for people walking on the northern side of the intersection at 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way. The project will include upgraded landscaping, new signage and wayfinding, new lighting for people walking and upgraded signal poles.
2024 – 2025
SFMTA adopted the citywide Biking and Rolling Plan, which will created a new plan for active mobility citywide.
2026 (Planned)
New Traffic Signal: SFMTA plans to construct a new traffic signal at Lincoln Way and 10th Avenue.
June 09, 2026 Transportation Authority Board
June 09, 2026 Transportation Authority Board Presentation (PDF)
2025 Outreach Events
We conducted our second round of community outreach to collect community feedback on draft concepts designed to improve safety and access in the commercial core of the neighborhood.
2025 Online survey
Survey Closed October 26, 2025
Neighborhood pop up events:
Pop Up #1 - Near the corner of 9th and Lincoln
- Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Time: 9 a.m to 10:30 a.m.
- Location: 1200 9th Avenue (In front of Pacific Catch)
Pop Up #2 - Near the corner of 9th and Lincoln
- Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Location: 9th and Lincoln entrance to Golden Gate Park
Pop up #3 - 22nd & Irving Market
- Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
- Time: TBD
- Location: 2101 Irving St.
- Interpretation available in Chinese
Pop Up #4 - Inner Sunset Flea
- Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025
- Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Location: Irving St. between 9th and 10th Ave.
In-person public meeting with District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar
Public Meeting Presentation, September 17, 2025 (PDF)
Public Meeting Boards, September 17, 2025 (PDF)
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 9th Avenue
Translations and interpretation were available in Chinese and Spanish.
2024 Events
2024 online survey
Survey closed December 20, 2024
In-person public meeting with District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar
Public Meeting Presentation, November 18, 2024 (PDF)
Community members had the opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and tell us what improvements they would like to see in the commercial core of the neighborhood.
Date: Monday, November 18, 2024
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 9th Avenue
Final Report
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