A Gradual Approach to Improve a Busy San Francisco Street

San Francisco has made steps to avert cars from Market Street, but the next steps to alleviate congestion are vague. A gradual rollout of trial experiments to gauge a method's success seems the most likely answer, reports Rachel Gordon.

1 minute read

September 14, 2011, 11:00 AM PDT

By Kristopher Fortin


Board of Supervisors President David Chu, who is also running for San Francisco mayor in November, spoke about what Market Street could be.

"'A viable vision for the future of Market Street is of a world-class avenue drawing its success from the huge number of people it attracts through transit and taxis, and on foot and bicycle, and no private automobiles other than delivery vehicles,' said Chiu, who proposed legislation Tuesday urging transportation officials to move forward with more trial programs."

Ken Cleaveland, director of government and public affairs for the Building Owners and Managers Association of San Francisco, said a gradual approach of testing possible solutions for their effectiveness before they are put into practice.

"He's opposed to a ban on private cars on Market Street but said experimenting with changes and studying their impact makes sense. The fear that some in the business community had about the forced turns evaporated once the changes were implemented."

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in San Francisco Chronicle

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