San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) today announced the completion of the L Taraval Improvement Project and the reopening of the Muni’s L transit line, which resumes full service for riders this weekend. The multi-agency collaboration to upgrade over two miles of the L line and local infrastructure will benefit residents, small business owners, and visitors who utilize public transit to travel between West Portal and the San Francisco Zoo.
“The L Taraval is a transformative project and a once-in-a-generation investment that will benefit the community for decades to come, and I am proud that we are completing it on time and on budget,” said Mayor London Breed. “We will continue to build on this success for the benefit of the passengers that expect our transit system to be safer, faster, and more reliable. We thank all of our City and regional partners for working collaboratively to deliver on this world-class transit project, but most importantly the surrounding community, including business owners, for their patience and guidance throughout this process.”
In service since 1919, Muni’s L Taraval route is a vital east-west connector, serving the Sunset and Parkside residents and the Taraval Street commercial corridor. The improvement project, which began in 2019, includes the enhancement of sidewalks to draw visibility to pedestrian crossings, new safety boarding islands, and major infrastructure upgrades such as the replacement of worn rails, overhead wires, water and sewer lines, as well as the re-pavement of the entire Taraval Street to address decades of wear from cars and light rail vehicles.
The project also included the addition of new trees and landscaping elements and 71 new streetlights with upgraded LED lighting to provide a safer and more comfortable experience for riders and pedestrians.
Beginning this Saturday, September 28, the L Taraval train service will resume between Embarcadero Station and SF Zoo. Muni riders will board trains at the platform or street instead of using the buses at the curb.
Taraval Street is on the high-injury network, the 12% streets that account for 68% of the City’s severe and fatal traffic crashes. Before this project, nearly 10 people were injured on the corridor every year. Over the last year, the City’s work to ensure Muni is more reliable, safe, and fast has been recognized by riders and international organizations.
Earlier this month, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) announced that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) improvement project on Van Ness Avenue has received the highest-level designation among transit projects in the country. Last June, Mayor Breed and SFMTA officials announced that Muni received its highest customer rating in over 20 years. The survey found that 72% of Muni riders rated service as good or excellent, an increase from 66% last year and the highest rating since annual customer surveys started in 2001.
“With a focus on safety, we’ve made significant upgrades to the L Taraval line for the first time in almost 50 years,” said Jeffrey Tumlin, SFMTA Director of Transportation. “Riders will no longer have to exit the train onto the street alongside traffic. Before this project, nearly five people were hit every year getting on or off the train.”
“I believe a renaissance is coming to the Sunset and the return of the L-Taraval train will usher in a new era of prosperity,” said Supervisor Joel Engardio. “Residents, merchants, and tourists will all benefit from this essential train line that will make it possible for more people to experience all the wonderful food, art, culture, and events the Sunset offers. The infrastructure improvements were necessary and now we have the train that we need for the next century."
The Taraval Street commercial corridor in the Sunset District spans the Parkside neighborhood to the Pacific Ocean. Known to many as a dumpling heaven, it is home to a variety of retail, personal, and professional services. To reduce the impacts on the community, the L Taraval improvement project was split into two segments; A: San Francisco Zoo to Sunset Boulevard and B: Sunset Boulevard to West Portal. Segment A started in 2019 and was completed on time and on budget in the summer of 2021. Segment B began in January 2022.
To support business owners on the corridor during construction, Mayor Breed working in partnership with Supervisors Joel Engardio and Myrna Melgar, helped direct $1 million in relief funding for Taraval small businesses. The SFMTA also partnered with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and Self Help for the Elderly’s Small Business/ Economic Development team to help provide small businesses with access to small business resources the City provides, such as training and one-on-one consulting.
OEWD has worked with the community to launch retail campaigns such as Take Time for Taraval and Shop Dine SF Taraval, which highlights an online directory featuring treasured local favorite restaurants, shops and services, as well as a bingo-style game driving community support for local businesses in partnership with People of Parkside.
“The Taraval merchants are grateful that the project is done, and the street looks beautiful,” said Albert Chow, head of The People of Parkside Sunset (POPS). “Now Taraval is back in business and better than ever! Come see for yourself!”
“Taraval Street is one of the major arteries and economic engines on the west side,” said Supervisor Myrna Melgar. “Now that the L can travel from our western most residents to our downtown core, our local businesses can grow and thrive. These improvements will ensure that seniors, children, workers, and families can move efficiently through our city from bay to breakers.”
“Public transit is the backbone of San Francisco’s economy, and is at the core of a more equitable, accessible, livable city,” said Transportation Authority Board Chair and District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. “The Transportation Authority was proud to provide $19M or about 25% of the funding for Segment B through our voter approved sales tax (Prop K) and vehicle registration fee (Prop AA) programs. Congratulations to the SFMTA, SF Public Works and all the partners on the delivery of this important and beautiful project.”
Upcoming Events on Taraval and in the Sunset
Sunset Night Market (September 27)
The highly anticipated Sunset Night Market will return tomorrow. In partnership with Self Help for the Elderly, OEWD is also launching Craving Sunset to provide businesses in the Sunset commercial corridors like Taraval Street, Noriega Street, Vicente Street and Irving Street with increased exposures to complement the Sunset Night Market.
Movies in McCoppin (October 4, 11, 18 and 25)
On Fridays throughout the month of October, the People of Parkside works to ensure residents and visitors enjoy free movies and food while watching family-friendly movies Wonka, Turning Red, The Little Mermaid, and Barbie.
Día de los Muertos (November 1, 6pm – 10 pm)
The 4th Annual Día de los Muertos honor our beloved dead and celebrate their spirits by Folklorico dancers weave stories of legends, tales, and culture through magnificent performance, and attendees are invited to create and set up an ofrenda / altar offering, for our loved ones.
Diwali at the Outer Sunset Farmer’s Market and Mercantile (November 10 between 9am and 2 pm)
Thanks to our partnership with the Sunset Mercantile, Diwali and Festival of Light return to the Sunset District for the second time this year with highlights such as cooking demos with San Francisco’s Queen of Chutney Shanta Nimbark Sacharoff, workshops, lives music, food and vendors.
Sunset Holiday Mercantile (December 7 and 8, 11 am - 5pm)
For the 10th year, the Sunset Holiday Mercantile features two fulfilling days of artisan makers and vendors, plus live music, food and fun activities.
37th Avenue and Ortega Events Throughout The Year
All year round, the Sunset Mercantile helps connect the community, local businesses and causes through festivities and events on 37th Avenue between Ortega and Quintara.
Outer Sunset Farmers Markets and Mercantile (Sunday, 9 am- 2pm)
Rain or shine, the two-block Outer Sunset Farmers Market and Mercantile on 37th Avenue stretching between Ortega and Quintara features farm-fresh produce, flowers and plants, local makers, food trucks and entertainment.
Secondhand Saturday (Third Saturdays between April and November)
This is a curated, stylish and modern version of the traditional flea market with over 60 vintage vendors, makers, and artists complemented with live music by local musicians, food trucks, and rotating family-friendly activities.
SFMTA will host a community appreciation event in partnership with People of Parkside Sunset (POPS) on Friday October 4, 2024, 5 - 7 p.m. at McCoppin Square, Taraval Street at 23rd Avenue. This celebration will be filled with fun and games, activities and prizes for the whole family along with the first of October’s “Movies in McCoppin” series, kicking off with Wonka.
The L Taraval Improvement Project is a collaboration between the SFMTA, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco Public Works and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority. For additional information on this project, visit this link.
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