T-line Closure / 3rd Street Closure Information & Email Signup

In 2026, the City plans to close 3rd street and terminate the T-Third Muni line north of Cesar Chavez in order to repair the Islais Creek Bridge. The project will continue for 2 years.

DPW and SFMTA presented their plans at the September 14th, 2024 BRITE meeting.

Here are the key meeting results:

• The start of the brige replacement has been delayed from 2025 to the end of 2026
• The bridge is being replaced in its entirety because it is dilapidated, a drawbridge is no longer needed, and the existing bridge will not survive global climate change. This is part of San Francisco's overall effort to be ready for sea-level rises driven by climate change. The bridge is not in immediate danger of collapse.
• Community members noted that longer commutes cost Bayview and Visitacion Valley residents money. If half of the 35,000 people in Bayview and Visitacion Valley each add 30 mins to their commutes and we assume that residents time is worth $30/hr, the cost to residents will be about $90 million dollars per year ($180 million for the entire project, if not delayed).
• MTA noted that, aside from increasing the frequency on the 15, no money has been allocated for Bayview/Vis Valley-specific transit mitigations.
• The group discussed the possibility of repairing the bridge in stages so that one side is always open; DPW said that this is not possible because this project includes replacing the main structure of the bridge. It cannot be taken apart in pieces.
• The group discussed the possibility of creating two T lines: one that runs from Chinatown to Marin and another that runs from Sunnydale to Evans, with a shuttle between them. MTA stated that there is no place to store and maintain trains at Sunnydale.
• While MTA did include a transit mitigation plan in the draft EIR, there is no fixed plan. MTA is looking for information from the community regarding our transit needs. Thus far, MTA's plans are focused on providing a bus from UCSF (16th & 3rd) to Sunnydale, as well as increasing the frequency of the 15.
• In addition to the harm to commutes, community members were concerned the abandoned T-line stops will become a magnet for vandalism.
• A community member suggested that construction of the Oakdale Caltrain Station, which has been discussed for at least 20 years, would mitigate harm from the upcoming transit disruption.

The main area where the bridge work will occur is outlined in red below.

The DPW presentation is available for download.

Submit the form below to be added to the mailing list for information about this important project.