Commission reviews draft EIR for Islais Creek (Third Street) Bridge; public worried about 24‑month closure and transit impacts

The Planning Commission reviewed the draft environmental impact report for the Islais Creek (Third Street) Bridge replacement project during the Jan. 11 hearing and took public comment on the document’s adequacy. Staff described a proposal to demolish and replace the existing bridge with a structure resilient to projected sea‑level rise through 2100 that would include a center 26‑foot dedicated light‑rail trackway, two travel lanes in each direction, and a new pedestrian/bicycle path.

Thomas Reutman, project manager from Public Works, told commissioners that construction is anticipated to last approximately 24 months and would require full closure of the bridge during that time; SFMTA and Public Works will develop a traffic management and detour plan and a temporary bus bridge plan for T‑Third service. The draft EIR identifies significant and unavoidable impacts for historic resources (Caltrans determined the bridge is eligible for listing in the National Register for its Art Moderne design) and for construction‑related transit delay; staff said other impacts can be mitigated.

Public commenters, including San Francisco Transit Riders, urged the city to minimize the disruption to the T‑Third line and to seek alternatives that shorten a full closure because “two years is a long time for that critical connection” and prolonged closures risk durable ridership loss in a neighborhood with historically limited mobility options. Commissioners asked staff about shortening the construction timeline or staging alternatives that would keep the existing bridge in service longer while a new structure is built; staff said further outreach and detailed detour planning will occur and that the draft EIR comment period is open through Jan. 22.

No approvals were requested at this hearing; staff will publish responses to comments after the Jan. 22 close and return to the commission for later decision on certification and entitlements.