The L Taraval Improvement Project aims to upgrade the infrastructure of the Muni L line linking West Portal with the San Francisco Zoo. Beginning Saturday, September 28, L line trains will resume service between Embarcadero Station and the zoo, operating every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 12 minutes on weekends. Passengers will enjoy the convenience of boarding and alighting directly from platforms or streets, as the L line buses will no longer run.
This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), and the San Francisco Department of Public Works (SFPW). The goal is to boost both the safety and reliability of service on the L line.
Significant upgrades are taking place across Muni services, including the first update to the L line tracks in nearly 50 years. These new tracks are designed for smoother, quieter rides and require less maintenance. Additionally, five new traffic signals will prioritize transit vehicles, and the overhead cables supplying power to the trains have also been upgraded.
Safety remains a top concern. In the past, around five passengers were injured in accidents while boarding or disembarking each year. To address this, we’ve constructed 22 new or expanded boarding islands that allow passengers to board without stepping into traffic. Enhanced sidewalks along with high-visibility crosswalk signs are now facilitating safer crossings at intersections.
Accessibility has also been a focus, with several key locations along the L line now featuring high-quality platforms for easier boarding. New ramps and accessible pedestrian signals at intersections are further improving navigation for all users.
Facility upgrades are noteworthy; many of the sewer and water pipes along Taraval Street were over a century old and have been successfully replaced.
Regarding the street landscape, we’ve planted over 175 new trees and made enhancements to the landscape design. There are now 71 new street lights and several public art installations, plus the entire stretch of Taraval Street has been repaved.
Looking ahead, new Muni bus shelters will be installed at all train platforms, which will feature real-time information displays for passengers.
While most of the major work has been completed, we are still finalizing some smaller projects, such as updating bus lane signage and installing the new bus shelters.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our community partners, residents, and local businesses for their unwavering support and patience throughout this project. Your feedback has been invaluable, guiding us from the planning phase all the way through construction. We are excited for you to experience safer and more reliable public transit along the newly improved Taraval Street.
