Better Market Street

Overview

Overview

A rendering of the Better Market Street project, with people socializing on a wide sidewalk with people biking and several Muni buses traveling on the street

Introduction

Market Street—San Francisco’s busiest pedestrian street, bicycle thoroughfare, and transit corridor—is in need of a makeover, including a significant amount of repair and replacement of old infrastructure.

The Better Market Street project will deliver transformative transportation and street improvements along 2.2 miles of Market Street between Octavia Boulevard and Steuart Street. It includes construction of improved curb-side bicycle lanes, resurfacing, way-finding, lighting, landscaping, transit boarding islands, transit connections, traffic signals, transportation circulation changes, and utility relocation and upgrade.

A renewed Market Street will anchor neighborhoods, link public open spaces, and connect the city's Civic Center with cultural, social, convention, tourism, and retail destinations, as well as Salesforce Transit Center, the regional transit hub. The vision is to create Market Street as a place to stop and spend time, meet friends, watch people while sitting in a café, or just stroll and take in the scene.

Project/Study Partners

SF Public Works
SFMTA
SF Planning
SF Public Utilities Commission
Office of Economic and Workforce Development

Goals

Support the City of San Francisco's planned growth and economic development
Provide faster and more reliable transit service for all users
Improve safety, comfort, and mobility for people walking, rolling, bicycling, and riding transit
Enhance accessibility for all transit stops, sidewalks, and street crossings
Create thriving public spaces that attract a diversity of people and uses

Timeline and Status

See Better Market Street website.

Cost and Funding

The preliminary total project cost estimate is $604 million. A significant portion of the total project cost represents infrastructure rehabilitation and replacement work, including water, sewer, power, and pavement, that would be required regardless of the proposed street and transportation enhancements. This cost estimate will continue to be refined as engineering on the project progresses.

The Better Market Street project has secured $140 million in funding from San Francisco's half-cent transportation sales tax, SFMTA’s Prop A General Obligation bond, and a federal BUILD grant. Based on the preliminary cost estimate, the identified funds are sufficient to complete design on the entire project and construct Phase 1 (5th-8th streets).