San Francisco’s first north-south subway opened last weekend, extending service on Muni’s T light rail line.
San Francisco’s Central Subway, under construction for a decade and planned for four decades, finally opened to the public over the weekend.
“The subway cuts through the most densely populated parts of San Francisco and carries particular importance for the city’s Chinatown neighborhood, whose residents hope it will spur an economic revival,” according to an article by Ricardo Cano for the San Francisco Chronicle.
The first Central Subway train left Chinatown at 8 am on Saturday, and the Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni) is operating limited weekend service through the first week of January, according to the article. “When it opens for full service on Jan. 7, the T line will take riders from Bayview-Hunters Point to Chinatown via the city’s first north-south subway and connect riders to BART, Caltrain and Muni’s other light-rail lines on Market Street,” writes Cano.
More details on the long past and the potential future of the subway are available from a separate article by Cano and J.D. Morris published a few days before the opening.
The subway opens four years behind schedule and 20 percent over budget, attracting stinging criticism right up until opening day.
FULL STORY: Crowds greet delayed opening of S.F.’s Central Subway to Chinatown
2021 Opening Expected for San Francisco's Central Subway
Mark your calendars (but maybe use pencil).
Contractor Allegedly Lays 3 Miles of the Wrong Steel; Delays for S.F.'s Central Subway Ensue
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency ordered high-strength steel to ensure the long-term quality of the under-construction Central Subway. The contractor laid 17,000 linear feet of standard-strength steel anyway.
San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service