Transit-only lanes will be coming to Ingleside's Ocean Avenue after all.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency announced Thursday that the controversial transit-only lanes, the centerpiece of its $34 million K Ingleside Rapid project, will be installed in phases "on limited sections" of the avenue starting in early 2027.
To alleviate concerns, a performance evaluation will be conducted of the "limited implementation before work continues on any additional sections," according to the announcement. "The evaluation plan will be based on safety, traffic and transit metrics with data collected before and after implementation."
Although the transit-only lanes were formally approved in March 2024, an opposition campaign organized by the Ocean Avenue Association in December 2025 led to District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar and District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen asking the transportation agency to pause the project to allow for two town hall-style meetings led by a professional facilitator.
At the last town hall meeting on May 4, SFMTA officials shared a revised plan that emphasized proposals to limit double-parking and to improve safety while keeping the transit-only lanes largely as originally proposed.
Between now and 2027, the transportation agency will finalize its phased installation and evaluation plan for the transit-only lanes while also working with merchants on improving loading zones and completing improvements in the K Ingleside Rapid project.
Loading Zones
Although the SFMTA added 17 new loading zones to the avenue last year, more may be necessary, according to feedback from merchants. The transportation agency will partner with the Ocean Avenue Association to conduct additional outreach to small business owners. The overarching goal is to reduce double parking.
Boarding Islands
Upgrading the boarding island at Ocean and Miramar Avenues in the direction toward West Portal is the last one that has yet to be done. This is the final boarding island we are expanding.
One addition drawn from community feedback was the installation of more railings on boarding islands. The SFMTA will evaluate existing boarding islands and add additional railings if feasible.
No mention was made of work on extending two-car train service to the final outbound stop at Balboa Park Station. Currently, passengers must disembark the second car and go to the first car, all of which requires the operator to leave the cabin, and takes up precious travel time. In September, a spokesperson said the agency was evaluating it.
Flashing Beacons
Flashing beacons will be installed at crosswalks on Ocean Avenue at Granada Avenue, Manor Drive, San Benito Way and Santa Ana Avenue. The purpose is to alert drivers when a person is crossing the street. Federal Highway Administration data indicate that the beacons increase the rate of drivers yielding at intersections from 18% to 81%.
Crossing Safety Zones
Painted safety zones will be installed on Ocean Avenue at San Benito Way, Westgate Drive, Cerritos Avenue and Manor Drive.
The zones encourage drivers to turn further away from the curb to create a buffer between pedestrians and vehicles.
SFMTA crews will also survey and repaint crosswalks on and around Ocean Avenue, as needed.
Cerritos Avenue Speed Table
A speed table will be installed on Cerritos Avenue to slow down vehicle traffic. Speeding drivers have been a serious problem for residents.
"We’re also continuing to design other remaining elements of the project for construction, including accessibility and safety improvements like upgraded curb ramps and improved crossings for people walking," the transportation agency announced.
