19th Avenue Construction Work to Begin

By Assemblymember Phil Ting

The need for resurfacing on 19th Avenue is an issue I have updated readers on several times over the past few years. I am pleased to finally share that work toward that end will finally begin this month. For those of you who are neighbors of the thoroughfare, you should have already received notices, and electronic signs were set up to warn motorists. 

Caltrans has a role in maintaining 19th Avenue since it is a state route (SR 1). In 2017, the Legislature approved the first gas tax increase since 1994 to pay for all kinds of transportation projects, including resurfacing streets, purchasing new public transit vehicles and improving pedestrian and biking infrastructure. In 2018, our state’s voters saved this revenue from a repeal effort when they voted down Proposition 6.

Thanks to this funding, we have previously seen repaving south of Holloway Avenue, along Crossover Drive in Golden Gate Park and on Park Presidio Boulevard through the MacArthur Tunnel to the Golden Gate Bridge approach. We also have a new, higher median barrier on Crossover Drive that has reduced glare from oncoming headlights and decreased the likelihood of vehicles flipping into oncoming traffic during a collision.

The San Francisco Department of Public Works will be heading up this new portion of the project, which will be performed in four phases. Starting the week of Nov. 9, construction will begin on the southbound lanes of 19th Avenue between Lincoln Way and Noriega Street. Water and sewer mains will be replaced, the emergency firefighting water supply will be upgraded, curb ramps and bulb-outs will be installed to increase pedestrian safety, sidewalks will be widened at bus stops and traffic signals will be upgraded.

At least two lanes will remain open in both directions at all times, with work currently scheduled to be performed weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and not on weekends. This first phase will take about a year before switching to the northbound lanes between Noriega and Lincoln, and then eventually to the north and southbound lanes between Noriega and Holloway.

After construction is complete, estimated in 2023, Caltrans will repave the entire stretch between Holloway and Lincoln. Follow http://www.sfpublicworks.org/19th-Avenue for updates. While this project may create short-term inconveniences, it’s essential that we take the opportunity to upgrade aging infrastructure.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to invite you to two virtual district events I’m holding. On Thursday, Nov. 19 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., I will be hosting an education town hall with leaders from San Mateo County schools (following an event I did this spring with San Francisco school leaders), and on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., I will be giving a legislative and budget update. For more details, visit http://www.asmdc.org/ting.

Remember that my office is here to help if you are having issues getting unemployment benefits or if you need assistance with a state agency. Contact us through the website above or call the district office at (415) 557-2312. As San Francisco moves into the state’s “yellow” tier and continues to gradually reopen, we are still here to serve our constituents.

Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the west side of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma and Daly City. He lives in the Sunset District. He can be reached at (415) 557-2312 or at assemblymember.ting@assembly.ca.gov. For more information and updates, visit https://a19.asmdc.org.