Work crews from San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency and Department of Public Works are set to begin retrofitting two K-Ingleside light rail boarding islands on Ocean Avenue.
The SFMTA announced in a project update two weeks ago that crews will lengthen the eastbound boarding islands at Ocean Avenue and San Leandro Way and Ocean Avenue and Fairfield Way. The work is part of the transportation agency’s K Ingleside Rapid project, which aims to double the capacity of the K on surface streets in both directions.
From Sept. 26 through Oct. 1, crews will demolish the old boarding island at Ocean Avenue and San Leandro Way and build a longer one. From Oct. 2 to Oct. 7, crews will do the same for the boarding island at Ocean Avenue and Fairfield Way.
The K will operate normally while under construction, but there will be temporary stop changes while crews build the boarding islands. The SFMTA suggests riders use nearby stops.
The transportation agency expects to open both stops for revenue service on Oct. 11. The dates of construction are subject to change.
The SFMTA said traffic on Ocean Avenue will be limited to one westbound lane in the project area with no planned impacts to traffic in the opposite direction.
The alleyway on Ocean Avenue between San Leandro Way and Santa Ana Avenue will be closed during the construction of the Ocean Avenue and San Leandro Way boarding island. The SFMTA added that they expect the alleyway to be closed 24 hours a day during construction and that residents would be able to access the alleyway using Drien Way.
When crews are working on the boarding island at Ocean Avenue and Fairfield Way, drivers will not be able to turn directly from Ocean Avenue onto Fairfield Way and vice versa. The turn restrictions will be in effect 24 hours a day during construction.
One of the recently extended K-Ingleside boarding islands on Ocean Avenue. | Alex Mullaney/Ingleside Light
The SFMTA said drivers can access Fairfield Way using Keystone Way or by using Lakewood Avenue.
There could be parking impacts during construction, and the SFMTA warns drivers to look at temporary signage posted in the construction areas.
Crews have already completed the outbound K stops in the fall of last year. The only transit stop that will not see any upgrades is the final stop at the Balboa Park BART station. Passengers are still asked to leave the second-car train at the City College of San Francisco stop and board the first-car before heading to the final station.
"The K Ingleside Rapid Project team is still evaluating options on extending two-car train service to the final outbound stop at Balboa Park Station," Erica Kato told The Ingleside Light on Monday.
The SFMTA said more quick-build improvements are scheduled for the area in the coming months, including lengthening the boarding islands at Ocean and Miramar avenues.
