Wet Weather and Major Muni Adjustments Impact Tuesday Morning Commute

Morning Commute Overview

Commuters in San Francisco should prepare for a challenging Tuesday morning as a combination of inclement weather, transit service changes, and active roadwork projects converge on the city. With light rain expected throughout the day and a high probability of precipitation reaching 95%, road surfaces will be slick, and visibility may be reduced during peak travel hours. Drivers are urged to increase following distances and allow for extra travel time on all major arteries.

Public Transit Alerts and Service Changes

Significant updates are in effect for those utilizing the Muni system this week. Following the closure of the 111-year-old Potrero Yard on February 14, the SFMTA has implemented several route and frequency adjustments to accommodate the facility's multi-year rebuild. Notably, the 5 Fulton and 5R Fulton Rapid lines are operating with a mix of 40-foot and 60-foot buses. The 5R Fulton Rapid is currently scheduled for 8-minute headways during peak periods. Additionally, the 58 Lake Merced line has been relocated to new boarding islands on Lake Merced Boulevard to improve reliability.

For BART riders, service is currently recovering from an earlier equipment problem near the Colma station. While technicians have addressed the primary issue, residual delays of approximately 20 minutes are reported on the San Francisco Line affecting the SFO, Millbrae, and East Bay directions. Commuters should check the official BART app for real-time station departures before beginning their journey.

Major Roadworks and Lane Closures

Infrastructure projects continue to impact traffic flow across the city:

• Howard Street: As part of the Transbay Howard Streetscape Project, expect intermittent lane closures and delays between The Embarcadero and 4th Street. Work is scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. today.
• US-101 and I-80 Viaducts: Ongoing rehabilitation work on the 71-year-old Central and Bayshore viaducts may result in narrowed lanes and shifting traffic patterns. While the major 4th Street off-ramp closure is not scheduled until later this week, motorists should stay alert for Caltrans message boards.
• 19th Avenue (SR-1): The multi-phase paving and rehabilitation project between Lincoln Way and Holloway remains active. Drivers should expect temporary lane closures which may limit access to Golden Gate Park and SF State University.

Commuter Safety Reminders

Due to the high chance of rain today, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds drivers that headlights are required whenever windshield wipers are in continuous use. Flooding has been reported on several Bay Area ramps, including the US-101 Southbound connector to I-80 Eastbound; please approach these areas with caution to avoid hydroplaning. For those traveling toward the Chase Center this evening, be aware that no supplemental arena express service is scheduled for tonight's events, so regular Muni lines may see increased ridership.