Car In Sunset Tunnel Causes Major Disruption To N-Judah Service [Updated]

Car In Sunset Tunnel Causes Major Disruption To N-Judah Service [Updated]Photo: adribluestar/Twitter
Walter Thompson
Published on September 26, 2016

Last night at approximately 7:45pm, the driver of a white Mazda entered the Sunset Tunnel, causing extended delays along the N-Judah, Muni's most popular light rail line.

According to Muni spokesperson Paul Rose, the vehicle entered the tunnel at Carl and Cole, but became stuck on the tracks. While "there are lighted signs at Carl and Cole warning people not to drive in," he said, they didn't prove to be a deterrent. 

While Muni crews worked to remove the Mazda and inspected the tunnel for damage, the agency put shuttle buses in service for two hours until regular service was restored.

The driver, whose name has not been released, was cited and arrested at the scene; we've contacted SFPD for additional information. [Update: 2:22pm: According to police, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence.]

Entrance to the Sunset Tunnel. | Image: Google

This isn't the first time an errant driver has found themselves stuck in the Sunset Tunnel after taking a wrong turn. On January 4th, a man was arrested in the early-morning hours after entering the Sunset Tunnel from the Cole Valley side, and getting stuck on the trackway's gravel. In June 2013 and February 2014, pedestrians moved vehicles that had strayed onto the trackway.

The 88-year-old tunnel has been undergoing significant repairs for the last year, to fix the trackway and electrical systems and perform seismic upgrades. Last week, after inspectors found its walls were crumbling, the tunnel received an additional $3 million in funding for more construction. 

Passengers who were aboard the blocked train disembarked and walked to safety. Arvid Peterson, who was on the train, posted a video to YouTube depicting a portion of his walk to freedom (embedded below).

Video recorded by a passenger on the blocked train. | YOUTUBE: ARVID PETERSON

In other N-Judah-related news, on Wednesday at 7:30pm, Muni officials will visit Richard Gamble Memorial Park, the dog run near the tunnel's Cole Valley portal, to demonstrate new LED lights intended to improve park safety. The new, brighter lights will be installed at the park's south entrance and at the back of the tunnel's entrance.

Muni will install new, brighter LEDs to improve safety in the park near the Cole Valley tunnel entrance. | PHOTO: VIA SFMTA

"The new lights are meant for park safety for neighborhood and Muni passengers, but every little bit helps," said Rose via email. 

According to an SFMTA statement, the new LED bulbs will be adjustable, "to avoid unnecessary brightness into residents’ homes."