PUC accepts $1 million MTC grant to fund Southern Skyline Ridge Trail extension; PUC and partners to provide $3M match

San Francisco’s Budget and Finance Committee on May 4 voted to forward a resolution asking the Public Utilities Commission to accept a $1,000,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, with the PUC providing at least a $3,000,000 match, to design and construct the Southern Skyline Ridge Trail extension.

The PUC described the project as a new ~6‑mile trail segment on Peninsula Watershed land that would extend the Bay Area Ridge Trail from State Route 92 toward the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and improve parking, restroom facilities and educational access. Tim Ramirez of the PUC said the project includes two new parking areas, an ADA‑compliant accessible loop inside an existing gate to support school programs, and a docent‑run access approach for several trail sections; the southern new trail will operate under a permit program allowing year‑round access for permitted visitors.

The Budget and Legislative Analyst reported the full project cost at about $25.5 million and noted the MTC grant requires a 3:1 match. The BLA recommended approval of the grant acceptance and expansion. During questioning, supervisors pressed PUC staff for clearer plans on how the PUC will use its $24.5 million in water‑enterprise funds, improve equitable access for San Francisco residents, and provide visuals showing what elements are covered by the $25.5 million program. Supervisor Mar said the project ‘‘is exciting’’ but asked the PUC to return with an aggressive strategy to increase access for city residents and for school groups.

Public commenters included representatives of the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and local trail advocates who said coordinated outreach and permit design can broaden access for historically marginalized communities. Committee members amended the resolution to update the construction timeline to January 2023–August 2025 and forwarded the measure to the full Board with a positive recommendation.

The committee directed PUC staff to continue outreach with regional partners, provide clearer visuals of the scope and financing, and return with more detail on how PUC programs will expand equitable access to the trail.