Commute Alert: Howard Street Lane Closures and BART Modernization Delays

Thursday Morning Traffic and Transit Overview

Good morning, San Francisco. As we head into the peak of the work week this Thursday, March 5, 2026, commuters should prepare for localized congestion on major surface streets and specific delays across the BART system. While the overall morning flow remains steady, multi-year infrastructure projects—collectively known as the "Fab 4"—are entering critical phases, impacting several high-traffic arteries.

Major Roadworks and Arterial Delays

The most significant impact today is concentrated on Howard Street. As part of the ongoing Transbay Howard Streetscape Project, crews are active between The Embarcadero and 4th Street. Commuters should expect intermittent lane closures and delays between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. this afternoon. This work includes the installation of new traffic signal infrastructure and protected bike lanes, which has reduced capacity on this key eastbound corridor.

On the freeways, the US-101 and I-80 Viaduct Rehabilitation continues. While major lane closures are scheduled for the overnight hours (typically 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.), morning drivers may still encounter residual slowdowns near the 7th and Bryant street off-ramps due to shifted lane configurations. Additionally, the "Hospital Curve" on US-101 remains a high-caution zone with narrow lanes; however, the heavy 55-hour partial closures are not slated to begin until tomorrow evening, Friday, March 6.

Public Transport and Rail Alerts

• BART SFO/Millbrae Line: Passengers traveling between Millbrae and San Francisco International Airport should plan for delays of up to 30 minutes. This is due to ongoing train control modernization work that is active on weeknights.
• BART Single Tracking: Following midnight track work between Coliseum and Bay Fair, service is expected to return to normal frequencies for the morning rush, though some residual gaps in the schedule may occur.
• Fare Gate Upgrades: Modernization of fare gates continues at several downtown stations. While this does not impact train arrivals, please allow an extra two to three minutes to navigate the concourse levels at Embarcadero and Civic Center.
• Muni Service: Muni is currently operating on a regular weekday schedule. However, expect minor re-routes tomorrow as setup begins for the Lunar New Year Parade events.

Safety and Enforcement Reminders

Drivers are reminded that the city’s network of 33 automated speed safety cameras is fully operational. Recent data indicates a high volume of citations being issued in the Inner Richmond along Geary Boulevard and near the "Hairball" intersection at Bayshore and Cesar Chavez. Please maintain posted speed limits to avoid civil penalties and ensure pedestrian safety as our streetscape improvements continue. If you are heading to the Chase Center tonight, expect increased foot traffic in the Mission Bay area starting around 5:30 p.m.