Earlier this year, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) unveiled plans to upgrade bridge barrier rails in San Francisco, ensuring they meet current safety standards. A significant project is underway on the 23rd Street overcrossing, situated above the U.S.-101 Highway between Vermont and Kansas streets.
Caltrans oversees a vast network that spans over 50,000 miles of highways and freeway lanes, while also managing intercity rail services and collaborating with local agencies to maintain a safe and efficient transportation network throughout California.
According to Lori Shepherd, a Public Information Officer at Caltrans, the existing bridge railings are in dire need of replacement, given their poor condition. The upgrades not only focus on safety for both vehicles and pedestrians but also include architectural enhancements to the railing and fencing, which will harmonize with the surrounding area’s aesthetics.
Construction commenced in January and is projected to wrap up by July. Work is conducted daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the bridge remaining open to traffic during these hours, causing minimal delays, as noted by Shepherd.
In tandem with the 23rd Street project, similar rehabilitation efforts are taking place on the Third Street ramp overcrossing in Bayview, where the Paul Avenue northbound offramp has been closed. Commuters are advised to either exit early onto Third Street or continue to the next exit at Silver Avenue and then backtrack along Bayshore Boulevard. Both the Bayview and Potrero Hill bridged are undergoing work sequentially on one side at a time.
Shepherd clarified the rationale behind the ramp closure: “This ramp is closed to control traffic coming into the Third Street bridge to make the space safe for merging cars from other adjacent streets. The one-way roadway at the bridge is reduced to one lane to provide a safe work area for the construction workers.”
Funding for these projects comes from the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP). This comprehensive four-year initiative aims to enhance the condition, operation, and sustainability of the State Highway System along with its associated infrastructure. SHOPP specifically allocates resources for safety improvements, repairs, and operational enhancements on the state’s highways.
While Shepherd reported that the 23rd Street bridge construction has not caused significant traffic delays during peak hours, there may be intermittent closures during non-commute hours and in the evening to facilitate work that affects circulation.
The current upgrades are part of a broader series of projects planned for this year that are likely to impact the Bayview and Potrero Hill areas. Shepherd noted, “San Francisco’s central and Bayshore freeways will undergo major viaduct rehabilitation tentatively beginning late summer 2025, which may have an impact on residents, businesses, and motorists in the Potrero Hill vicinity.”
One of the projects most relevant to Potrero Hill is the upcoming comprehensive rehabilitation of the U.S.-101. This will involve extensive work such as upgrading freeway drainage systems, replacing concrete pavement, repaving on- and off-ramps, and renewing the median barrier from Candlestick Point through Hospital Curve.
At the Kansas Food Market, located at 23rd and Kansas streets near the construction site, a worker expressed concern over driver behavior amid the distractions of ongoing work. Preferring to remain anonymous, he shared, “I think the construction is causing a distraction for people driving down the hill. They’re not fully stopping. Hopefully, the work gets completed soon.”
image source from：https://www.potreroview.net/potrero-hill-bridge-being-rehabilitated/
