The western edge of San Francisco is gearing up for a significant transformation with the completion of essential traffic and street upgrades, paving the way for the Great Highway's reinvention into a park. The raft of improvements, spearheaded by the combined efforts of San Francisco Public Works, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, SFMTA, and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, aims to improve traffic flow and connectivity for residents and daily commuters.
The Sunset Boulevard Paving Renovation Project is a notable aspect of these upgrades. A hefty $7.5 million was invested to fully repave Sunset Boulevard, which now promises a smoother and safer journey across its 44 blocks. According to the San Francisco Public Works, enhancements have been made in addition to the paving work for better drainage, improved road foundation, curb ramps for accessibility, and new concrete bus pads to boost Muni stop efficiency.
Moreover, traffic signal installations have been crucial to these improvements. Caltrans activated a new signal at Great Highway and Skyline Boulevard in January, aiming to notably cut down the risk for drivers and smooth out the traffic. A new traffic signal at 41st Avenue and Lincoln Way is already operational, while another is set to go live on Sloat Boulevard and Skyline Boulevard on February 26, ensuring safer navigation through important junctions in the Outer Sunset.
Supervisor Joel Engardio acknowledged the importance of these improvements, stating, "Everyone can agree the west side needs better traffic flow. By replacing stop signs with traffic signals at key pain points, we can make it safer and more efficient to get people where they need to go." Viktoriya Wise, SFMTA's Streets Director, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the agency's commitment to preparing the transportation landscape for this significant shift. "The SFMTA has been working closely with our city partners to ensure that the transportation infrastructure is ready for this transition," Wise told the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. "We are responding to these changes by taking action now, including installing new traffic signals to prepare the streets well ahead of the shift to a new park."
The genesis of this extensive project traces back to November 2024, when city voters gave the nod to repurpose 2 miles of the Upper Great Highway into a new coastal park. Scheduled to open this spring, the park is set to bring many public amenities into the fold, including temporary art installations, murals, seating areas, and improved waste management utilities.
