San Francisco's Market Street is closing to car traffic: What you need to know

Traffic on Market Street in downtown San Francisco on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Traffic on Market Street in downtown San Francisco on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Photo: Chris Preovolos Photo: Chris Preovolos Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close San Francisco's Market Street is closing to car traffic: What you need to know 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

Starting Wednesday, the busiest two-mile stretch of San Francisco's Market Street will be mostly off limits to cars.

This will be the first phase — what city officials are calling the "Quick-Build" — in an ambitious multi-year project that will create a safer and greener space for the half-million pedestrians and hundreds of cyclists who use the city's main downtown thoroughfare. The Better Market Street Project also emphasizes public transportation and aims to improve bus and train service.

Here are answers to some questions you might have:

What's the main change?

Beginning Jan. 29, private cars will no longer be welcome along several blocks of Market Street. The ban doesn't include city-regulated taxis (e.g., Yellow Cab and Flywheel), commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, public transit and paratransit. All traffic will still be able to cross Market Street on most cross streets.

Where specifically will Market Street be closed to cars?

It's a little confusing because the no-car zones vary depending on which direction you're traveling. Private cars will not be allowed to travel eastbound toward the Ferry Building from 10th Street to Main Street. They will also be barred from driving westbound between Steuart Street and Van Ness. (See map in the gallery above.)

HeadsUp: Starting on Wednesday, 1/29, private vehicles will be prohibited from turning onto or using Market in the car free area: westbound from Steuart to VN and eastbound from 10th to Main. https://t.co/c3LdCT6FsG pic.twitter.com/GXjs1eEKNv — SFMTA (@sfmta_muni) January 28, 2020

What about Lyft and Uber drivers?

While taxi cabs will be still be allowed, ride-hailing vehicles such as Lyft and Uber will be unwelcome. The city will be adding passenger zones on some side streets to facilitate dropoffs and pickups. "We have coordinated with Uber and Lyft to have the white zones added to their apps, so that passengers wishing to have a pick-up on Market Street will be redirected to the closest cross-street white zone for their pick-up," SFMTA said in a statement.

Will delivery vehicles access be limited?

Vehicles with commercial license plates (e.g., delivery vehicles) will be allowed access only during certain times to minimize conflict with pedestrians, bicyclists and transit.

Where will cars be allowed to cross Market Street?

Cars will be allowed to cross Market Street on most streets, with some traffic changes in store. Jones Street, north of Market, will become a new two-way street, as will Spear Street, just south of Market. Ellis Street, north of Market, will become a one-way street for cars.

What happens if I accidentally drive my car onto Market Street?

You could be cited for a moving violation with a fine of $238 and a point on your license.

How will the experience improve for bicyclists?

Cyclists will have fewer cars to worry about on the road, but will still need to keep an eye out for Muni buses, streetcars, delivery vehicles and taxi cabs.

With the Quick-Build, bicycle intersections will be improved where Market Street crosses Eighth, Page, Battery and Valencia streets.

How will the change impact Muni?

Beginning Wednesday, the center lanes will be reserved for Muni only, while outer lanes closest to the sidewalks will be turned into open roadway for Muni buses, taxis and commercial vehicles (although commercial loading on Market Street will only be allowed during off-peak hours).

In spring 2020, a Muni-only lane will be extended east to Main Street.

More future changes include reducing the four lanes near Van Ness to two "Muni and taxi-only lanes" to make way for improved crossings for pedestrians and a better bike connection between Market Street and 11th Street.

A new F-line loop will also be built on McAllister and Charles J. Brenham Place, just east of United Nations Plaza to "[enable] short-turns for additional service where ridership is highest." (F-line service will continue on to the Castro area, as before.)

There will be both curbside bus stops at "nearly every block," as well as center transit boarding islands, with plans to upgrade transit stops and make them ADA accessible.

How many parking spaces will be lost?

In total, 233 parking spots will be eliminated, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Six of those are metered spots on Market Street east of Spear Street, and 227 spaces on cross streets and side streets will be converted to commercial loading.

Will traffic on Mission Street and other side streets become a traffic nightmare?

Likely not. SFMTA did extensive traffic modeling to understand the impacts of removing cars from Market Street. " Currently, about 200 to 400 cars drive on Market Street during peak hours, depending on the block and direction," SFMTA said in a statement. "Because streets north of Market and those in SoMa have grid layouts, people driving have extensive choices about which street to take, and will not all be diverted to the same street. We anticipate about 100 cars per hour will be shifted to Mission Street, which will not significantly impact general traffic or transit on Mission Street."

What is the cost of the Quick Build?

This phase of the project is estimated to cost $3.5 million.

Why is the city doing this?

“Market Street is at the heart of our city, and we need to do everything we can to make it a safer, more livable, and more vibrant place for our residents, workers, and visitors,” said Mayor London Breed in a statement. “Last year, there were 123 injury collisions on Market Street and the majority involved people walking and biking. Better Market Street and the project’s near-term improvements are critical to achieve our Vision Zero goals and ensure everyone can feel safe on our most traveled street.”

What changes will happen in coming years?

In coming years, the Better Market Street Project will further transform the boulevard with widened sidewalks, better-marked bike lanes, new train tracks and pavement, intersection improvements and more.

SFGATE Digital Editor Dianne de Guzman contributed to this story.

Amy Graff is a Digital Editor for SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.