Opinion: SF traffic calls for drastic new plan

By Nick Palm
Staff Writer

Growing up in San Francisco’s Sunset District, I learned to rely on automobiles as my primary mode of transportation. But since I moved to an undisclosed location on the east end of the city — nice try stalkers — I’ve become quite cozy with public transit.

It makes sense to drive in some parts of the city, but downtown is not one of them.

San Francisco has one of the most thorough, reliable and environmentally sound public-transit systems in the entire country. Throw in BART and Caltrain, and you’ve introduced easy access to San Francisco from almost anywhere in the Bay Area.

Sure, it’s no secret that Muni has encountered some “minor issues” over the last year, and 2009 is not over yet. I’m sure we can squeeze in one more train derailment or senior citizen fist fight by the end of December. ‘Tis the season! Seriously though, give them a break. They’re doing a good job.

Despite our stellar public transportation system, car traffic in San Francisco remains a major issue. There’s a movement afoot to relieve congestion on Market Street, but it won’t stop anyone from driving downtown.

The San Francisco Planning Department has proposed an initiative to revive a traditionally congested Market Street and make it more friendly to pedestrians and bicyclists. Since Sept. 29, cars driving eastbound on Market Street have been diverted to alternate routes to reach the Embarcadero.

This is a good start, but the fix is more aesthetic than practical. If anything, it will force more traffic to South of Market thoroughfares like Mission and Folsom streets — just what the city needs during rush hour.

Downtown San Francisco, the most congested part of the city, should be closed to passenger vehicles completely.

I would like to see a border from Van Ness Avenue and 11th Street on the west, Harrison Street on the south, the Embarcadero on the east and California Street on the north.

Originally planned in the 19th century, that area was not designed for such a high volume of vehicle traffic. Allowing only mass-transit vehicles, delivery trucks and area residents to drive within the boundaries would alleviate a huge amount of the congestion.

New parking garages could be built along the boundaries at access points where people could easily walk or take public transit to their destinations.

Some streets within those borders are among the most crime-ridden in town, especially the Tenderloin. Current parking garages could be turned into youth centers and rehab facilities. The drug epidemic has gone on long enough, and this could end the traditional neglect towards the neighborhood.

Sure, my ideas seem far-fetched. And they are, considering the über-bureaucratic Board of Supervisors’ attempt to run the show.

It takes small steps to help out the greater cause, so next time you head downtown ask yourself, “Could I take the bus instead?” So please, don’t be lazy – you’re hurting the environment just as much as you’re hurting yourself.