If you've been out and about in West Portal in recent months, you may have noticed the commotion of ongoing construction. Beginning in spring of 2015, and lasting until this summer, San Francisco Public Works is making improvements to the neighborhood which range from sewer and pavement work to bulb-outs and sidewalk ramps.
The project started in April 2015, around West Portal Avenue, and should be completed in June. City public information officer Dadisi Najib explains that the work has been done in phases over a period of 16 months, in coordination between different partner agencies.
The first phase began with water main installation on West Portal Avenue, sewer work between on West Portal between 14th and 15th avenues and at the intersection of Ulloa Street. Construction continued with the installation of bulb-outs on West Portal Avenue at Vicente, and new ramps along the project limits.
Pavement improvements along the Muni tracks and roadway resurfacing on West Portal Avenue represent the final phase of the project, with trackway improvements still to be completed.
"The infrastructure improvements are required to support the needs of the City's growth and, at the same time, to replace existing facilities that have deteriorated due to age or have become obsolete," said Najib. "Paved streets and sidewalks improve access for pedestrians, bicycles, cars and emergency vehicles. A stormwater management system is constructed at the same time as the street, in order to provide proper drainage." As a result, "Wear and tear on cars is reduced, and transportation infrastructure contributes to increased neighborhood livability, appearance and property values."
The pending trackway paving is planned to be worked on after dark, after Muni trains stop running for the night, but Najib says there's no schedule in place for the completion of that project, which must be coordinated with SFMTA’s Twin Peaks Tunnel Project. "This work was scheduled in January but was postponed due to lack of SFMTA support/resources due to Superbowl 50 planning events."
