The Third Street Light Rail Project was the construction project that expanded the Muni Metro system in San Francisco, California, linking downtown San Francisco to the historically underserved southeastern neighborhoods of Bayview-Hunters Point and Visitacion Valley along the eastern side of the city. Construction was finished in late 2006, non-revenue weekend service began on January 13, 2007, and full service began on April 7, 2007.[1] The new service, as the T Third Street Metro line, replaced the 15 Third bus line, which ran south from the Caltrain Depot at 4th and King streets, along Third Street and Bayshore Boulevard to the southeastern neighborhoods.
Third Street Light Rail
New tracks on 3rd Street north of 16th Street in September 2005
In 1993, the San Francisco Municipal Railway published the Bayshore Transit Study, which offered the following seven goals:[2]
Improve transit service to, from and within the Bayshore corridor (decrease transit times and improve ridership)
Facilitate economic development in the area (stimulate new development and employment)
Enhance the area's environment (air quality and visual improvements)
Enhanced current and planned City & regional transportation (connections to other modes of transportation)
Implement a cost-effective and financially feasible system (minimize operating and capital costs)
Implement project as soon as possible
Implement an equitable system (bringing transit service to citywide levels)
The Bayshore Transit Study presented nine alternatives (including a "do nothing" alternative) ranging from building a trolley coach to expanding the MUNI Metro light rail system.[2] In the two alternative light rail routes proposed, rail service would be extended south to Caltrain's Bayshore Station along Third Street from the Financial District. Potential future extensions studied included lines along Hunter's Point, in Little Hollywood (to Candlestick Park), and along Bayshore and Geneva to the Balboa Park station.[2]
The project was initially budgeted at $667 million. As of July 2006, the budget increased by $120 million.[1]
Route
The T Third starts at Chinatown Station, and runs through the Central Subway to the Caltrain Depot at 4th and King streets, then along Third Street.[3] The 15-Third bus line was eliminated and the 8-Bayshore bus line was extended to replace the 15 in areas not served by the metro extension, including City College and Fisherman's Wharf.
The extension was supposed to connect directly to the Bayshore Caltrain Station when the station was in San Francisco County. However, as part of Caltrain's 2004 CTX project, Caltrain relocated the Bayshore Station to San Mateo County without informing Muni. To complicate matters, this connection has been plagued by cost and design issues. As a result, the southern end of the line terminates at the Sunnydale Station on Bayshore Boulevard for the time being.
Features
18 new stations were built along the line. They consist of either island platforms between the tracks or side platforms, with elevated platform heights to allow level boarding with the internal train stairs raised, similar to the ones used by the N Judah along the Embarcadero.
As part of the project, the entire Third Street corridor was repaved and received new streetlights. Additionally, palm trees were planted, sidewalks reconstructed and the pavement on 3rd Street repaved. Stations along the route have a distinctive marquee pole with a sculpture or mobile.
Light rail vehicles (LRVs) operate in an exclusive right-of-way in the center of the street along most of the line to bypass vehicular congestion and increase speed along the line. LRVs operate in mixed flow traffic at the 4th Street Bridge (the bridge does not have enough room for LRV exclusive right-of-way) and in a 10 block segment (from Kirkwood/La Salle stop through Revere/Shafter) in the Bayview business district to maintain parking on both sides of the street for customers of local businesses.
In addition, transit signal priority has been implemented along the entire corridor. The goal is to allow LRVs to have a green light at every intersection so they can travel from station to station without stopping.
The Third Street Light Rail Project is the first part of a multi-phase plan to expand the Muni Metro system. The second phase, known as the Central Subway, removed the need for the T Third to share tracks with N Judah north of 4th and King. T Third was routed to new tracks extending north from the Caltrain depot at 4th and King above ground to a new station at 4th and Brannan, then proceeds underground with intermediate stops at the new stations Yerba Buena/Moscone Station and Union Square/Market Street Station before terminating at a new Chinatown Station at Stockton and Washington streets. In addition, the second phase includes short turn service via the new Mission Bay Loop, which was completed in 2019[4] at a cost of $10.2 million. This improves service to Chase Center.[5] T Third trains began through-running into the Central Subway on January 7, 2023.
In early March 2009, media and community groups proposed that as the Central Subway is being built, plans should be drawn up to extend the T Third past Chinatown through North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf neighborhoods, passing Pier 39, potentially using an old steam railroad line underneath Fort Mason and ending up at The Presidio.[6] These plans were presented in October 2014 as a third phase (northern extension to Fisherman's Wharf) and a conceptual fourth phase (extension west to the Presidio).[7] Formal planning for a Central Subway extension was kicked off in late 2018 with several community meetings, and an Alternatives Study is underway with a projected completion in late 2019.[8][9]
References
^ abCabanatuan, Michael (January 13, 2007). "Muni's Third St. light-rail line finally rolling". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
^ abcWilbur Smith Associates (1993). Bayshore Transit Study (Report). City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco Municipal Railway. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
^Ward, Christopher. "New T Third Connecting Chinatown to Sunnydale Starts Saturday". New T Third Connecting Chinatown to Sunnydale Starts Saturday | SFMTA. SFMTA. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
^Cohen, Bettina (September 2019). "Efforts Continue to Improve Mission Bay Mobility in the Face of New Demands". The Potrero View. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
^Rodriguez, Joe Fitzgerald (July 23, 2018). "Cost for long delayed Muni 'loop' to boost Warriors train service jumps $1.4 million". The Examiner. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
^Cabanatuan, Michael (November 26, 2014). "Extending S.F.'s Central Subway would draw riders, study says". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
^T-Third – Phase 3 Concept Study (PDF) (Report). San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Sustainable Streets Division. October 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
^Rodriguez, Joe Fitzgerald (December 8, 2018). "Marina District may be on board for Central Subway extension". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
^"Central Subway Extension Alternatives Study" (PDF). San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. September 27, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
External links
Cauthen, Gerald (April 7, 2008). "ON REGIONAL TRANSIT Going underground in Chinatown". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
Nevius, C.W. (September 13, 2008). "Everyone has an idea on S.F. subway plan". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
Overview: The Project in a Nutshell. SFMuni.com.
Map of the extension. SFMuni.com.
. SFMTA.com.
Finnie, Chuck (March 9, 2009). "$147 Million Deal Could Derail Central Subway Project Budget". San Francisco Appeal. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
Central Subway may travel farther north than planned. SF Examiner.
ICF Kaiser Engineers (1998). Third Street Light Rail Project, Transportation Improvements, San Francisco: Environmental Impact Statement (Report). City and County San Francisco, Planning Department. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
February 24, 2023
third, street, light, rail, project, construction, project, that, expanded, muni, metro, system, francisco, california, linking, downtown, francisco, historically, underserved, southeastern, neighborhoods, bayview, hunters, point, visitacion, valley, along, ea. The Third Street Light Rail Project was the construction project that expanded the Muni Metro system in San Francisco California linking downtown San Francisco to the historically underserved southeastern neighborhoods of Bayview Hunters Point and Visitacion Valley along the eastern side of the city Construction was finished in late 2006 non revenue weekend service began on January 13 2007 and full service began on April 7 2007 1 The new service as the T Third Street Metro line replaced the 15 Third bus line which ran south from the Caltrain Depot at 4th and King streets along Third Street and Bayshore Boulevard to the southeastern neighborhoods Third Street Light RailNew tracks on 3rd Street north of 16th Street in September 2005OverviewOwnerSan Francisco Municipal Transportation AgencyLocaleSan Francisco CaliforniaStations18ServiceTypeLight railSystemMuni MetroOperator s San Francisco Municipal RailwayHistoryOpenedApril 7 2007TechnicalTrack gauge4 ft 8 1 2 in 1 435 mm standard gauge ElectrificationOverhead lines 600 V DCRoute mapLegendCentral SubwayCaltrain4th and King4th Street Bridgeover Mission CreekMission RockUCSF Chase CenterUCSF Medical CenterMission Bay Loop20th Street22nd Street23rd Street Muni MetroEast Yard Marin StreetLevon Hagop Nishkian Bridgeover Islais CreekEvansHudson InnesKirkwood La SalleOakdale PalouRevere ShafterWilliamsArmstrong wyeCarrollGilman PaulLe ConteUS 101CaltrainArletaSunnydaleBayshore plannedThis diagram viewtalkedit Contents 1 History 2 Route 2 1 Features 3 Further expansion 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditIn 1993 the San Francisco Municipal Railway published the Bayshore Transit Study which offered the following seven goals 2 Improve transit service to from and within the Bayshore corridor decrease transit times and improve ridership Facilitate economic development in the area stimulate new development and employment Enhance the area s environment air quality and visual improvements Enhanced current and planned City amp regional transportation connections to other modes of transportation Implement a cost effective and financially feasible system minimize operating and capital costs Implement project as soon as possible Implement an equitable system bringing transit service to citywide levels The Bayshore Transit Study presented nine alternatives including a do nothing alternative ranging from building a trolley coach to expanding the MUNI Metro light rail system 2 In the two alternative light rail routes proposed rail service would be extended south to Caltrain s Bayshore Station along Third Street from the Financial District Potential future extensions studied included lines along Hunter s Point in Little Hollywood to Candlestick Park and along Bayshore and Geneva to the Balboa Park station 2 The project was initially budgeted at 667 million As of July 2006 the budget increased by 120 million 1 Route EditThe T Third starts at Chinatown Station and runs through the Central Subway to the Caltrain Depot at 4th and King streets then along Third Street 3 The 15 Third bus line was eliminated and the 8 Bayshore bus line was extended to replace the 15 in areas not served by the metro extension including City College and Fisherman s Wharf The extension was supposed to connect directly to the Bayshore Caltrain Station when the station was in San Francisco County However as part of Caltrain s 2004 CTX project Caltrain relocated the Bayshore Station to San Mateo County without informing Muni To complicate matters this connection has been plagued by cost and design issues As a result the southern end of the line terminates at the Sunnydale Station on Bayshore Boulevard for the time being Features Edit 18 new stations were built along the line They consist of either island platforms between the tracks or side platforms with elevated platform heights to allow level boarding with the internal train stairs raised similar to the ones used by the N Judah along the Embarcadero As part of the project the entire Third Street corridor was repaved and received new streetlights Additionally palm trees were planted sidewalks reconstructed and the pavement on 3rd Street repaved Stations along the route have a distinctive marquee pole with a sculpture or mobile Light rail vehicles LRVs operate in an exclusive right of way in the center of the street along most of the line to bypass vehicular congestion and increase speed along the line LRVs operate in mixed flow traffic at the 4th Street Bridge the bridge does not have enough room for LRV exclusive right of way and in a 10 block segment from Kirkwood La Salle stop through Revere Shafter in the Bayview business district to maintain parking on both sides of the street for customers of local businesses In addition transit signal priority has been implemented along the entire corridor The goal is to allow LRVs to have a green light at every intersection so they can travel from station to station without stopping Further expansion EditMain article Central Subway San Francisco The Third Street Light Rail Project is the first part of a multi phase plan to expand the Muni Metro system The second phase known as the Central Subway removed the need for the T Third to share tracks with N Judah north of 4th and King T Third was routed to new tracks extending north from the Caltrain depot at 4th and King above ground to a new station at 4th and Brannan then proceeds underground with intermediate stops at the new stations Yerba Buena Moscone Station and Union Square Market Street Station before terminating at a new Chinatown Station at Stockton and Washington streets In addition the second phase includes short turn service via the new Mission Bay Loop which was completed in 2019 4 at a cost of 10 2 million This improves service to Chase Center 5 T Third trains began through running into the Central Subway on January 7 2023 In early March 2009 media and community groups proposed that as the Central Subway is being built plans should be drawn up to extend the T Third past Chinatown through North Beach and Fisherman s Wharf neighborhoods passing Pier 39 potentially using an old steam railroad line underneath Fort Mason and ending up at The Presidio 6 These plans were presented in October 2014 as a third phase northern extension to Fisherman s Wharf and a conceptual fourth phase extension west to the Presidio 7 Formal planning for a Central Subway extension was kicked off in late 2018 with several community meetings and an Alternatives Study is underway with a projected completion in late 2019 8 9 References Edit a b Cabanatuan Michael January 13 2007 Muni s Third St light rail line finally rolling San Francisco Chronicle Retrieved March 18 2013 a b c Wilbur Smith Associates 1993 Bayshore Transit Study Report City and County of San Francisco San Francisco Municipal Railway Retrieved March 10 2017 Ward Christopher New T Third Connecting Chinatown to Sunnydale Starts Saturday New T Third Connecting Chinatown to Sunnydale Starts Saturday SFMTA SFMTA Retrieved February 22 2023 Cohen Bettina September 2019 Efforts Continue to Improve Mission Bay Mobility in the Face of New Demands The Potrero View Retrieved June 16 2021 Rodriguez Joe Fitzgerald July 23 2018 Cost for long delayed Muni loop to boost Warriors train service jumps 1 4 million The Examiner Retrieved July 24 2018 Cabanatuan Michael November 26 2014 Extending S F s Central Subway would draw riders study says San Francisco Chronicle Retrieved March 10 2017 T Third Phase 3 Concept Study PDF Report San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Sustainable Streets Division October 2014 Retrieved March 10 2017 Rodriguez Joe Fitzgerald December 8 2018 Marina District may be on board for Central Subway extension San Francisco Examiner Retrieved December 10 2018 Central Subway Extension Alternatives Study PDF San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency September 27 2018 Retrieved December 10 2018 External links EditCauthen Gerald April 7 2008 ON REGIONAL TRANSIT Going underground in Chinatown San Francisco Chronicle Retrieved March 21 2017 Nevius C W September 13 2008 Everyone has an idea on S F subway plan San Francisco Chronicle Retrieved March 21 2017 Overview The Project in a Nutshell SFMuni com Map of the extension SFMuni com Central Subway Overview SFMTA com Finnie Chuck March 9 2009 147 Million Deal Could Derail Central Subway Project Budget San Francisco Appeal Retrieved March 21 2017 Central Subway may travel farther north than planned SF Examiner ICF Kaiser Engineers 1998 Third Street Light Rail Project Transportation Improvements San Francisco Environmental Impact Statement Report City and County San Francisco Planning Department Retrieved March 28 2017 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Third Street Light Rail Project amp oldid 1141011677, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
