J-Church Service Affected by Upgrades, Repairs

By J. Dean Woodbury

Facing a three-decade old rail system at the end of its life, Muni officials are taking improvement plans for the J-Church metro line full steam ahead, albeit creating some short-term inconveniences for the neighborhood.

In an effort to detail the changes and answer questions from the public, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) held one of its first community forums Feb. 10 at Morning Due Café at 3698 17th St., regarding repairs and upgrades to the Muni system that will potentially affect commuters, car traffic, and people living in targeted areas. Several members of the “Rail Improvement Project” team were in attendance.

The tracks in that neighborhood are nearly 30 years old and at the end of their service lives, according to Ha Nguyen, project manager with MTA. Some of the major planned replacements at this site include removing existing worn track, installing new track and additional utilities, and repaving the surrounding street.

Other goals are putting in yellow ADA-compliant ramps on the sidewalk curbs, installing underground sensors that provide crossing time to MUNI trains when activated, and new overhead lighting poles. With funding coming from local, state and federal sources, the estimated total cost of this project, including similar upgrades at San Jose Ave at 30th (the weekends of March 12 and 19) and Church at 30th streets (three undetermined weekends in September), adds up to $18.5 million.

Maintenance and improvements will impact the Eureka Valley Center around the J-Church line at the intersection of Church at 18th streets. The tentative construction date is March 5, with work planned continuously between the hours of 8 p.m. on that Friday through 4 a.m. the following Monday. Work may be pushed back one week in the event of heavy rain or otherwise inclement weather.

Such a rapid turnaround time for street and rail repairs is a welcome change of pace, according to Jock, a 30-year resident of the neighborhood. “I was here when they fixed the 17th and Market St. intersection, and it took two or three months. Doing railway has got to be hard in San Francisco; there’s a lot of people and a lot of activity, and it affects people’s daily lives. The current manager [of Muni] seems to be much more capable than his predecessors.”

For J-Church rail services interrupted by the upgrade, riders can board a temporary bus at Duboce and Market streets (actual pickup location may change, but will still be in that vicinity.) MTA has yet to announce how the 33-bus line will be rerouted to accommodate construction. Motor traffic will be detoured to surrounding side streets, with access still granted to pedestrians and residential parking. Police officers will be on hand to redirect traffic. For those wishing to avoid major noise pollution due to jack hammering, Friday night will be the loudest night of the weekend, as that is when construction workers will be breaking ground.

Local resident Karen Topakian said she was pleased with the planned upgrades but sees other areas of overlooked improvements for the intersection.

“I’m glad that MUNI is having community meetings so that residents can plan; and [since] San Francisco has a ‘transit first’ policy, it’s important for the city to make its transit more accessible,” she said. “My constant beef is that [at this location] there is no ‘Next Bus’ signage, so I am constantly having to call 311.”

When asked about whether or not one would be installed into the bus stop at Church and 18th streets, Jay Lu, community relations representative for the project replied, “We don’t know yet, but it is not yet part of this project.”

Local residents will be notified of these upgrades by MTA via postcards, print media and online updates (sfmta.com/rail). Any last minute changes will be advertised using flyers. For additional information, contact Ha Nguyen of the MTA at ha.nguyen@sfmta.com.

Copyright 2010 Castro Courier