Member, Board of Supervisors City and County of San Francisco

District 3

Julie Christensen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Gary McCoy

June 11th, 2015 gary.mccoy@sfgov.org

(415) 554-7451

SUPERVISOR CHRISTENSEN TO ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR STOCKTON

TUNNEL BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT PLANNING Supervisor Christensen will be joined by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, WalkSF, the

Planning Department, Public Works, and community members and advocates to announce

funding in the Mayor’s budget to create a plan for much needed bicycle and pedestrian safety

improvements in the Stockton Tunnel.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Thursday, June 11th at 9:30am

Chinatown side of Stockton Tunnel

San Francisco, CA – Today Supervisor Julie Christensen will announce funding in the Mayor’s

budget to launch a plan to provide bicycle and pedestrian safety upgrades in the Stockton Tunnel.

“The Stockton Tunnel connects two of San Francisco’s greatest and most important

neighborhoods. It was designed a hundred years ago to help cars get to the 1915 exposition in the

Marina. But today, the tunnel can and should be an important link for pedestrians and

cyclists, residents and visitors navigating the northeast neighborhoods." stated Supervisor Julie

Christensen.

“One of my first goals since assuming office was to request Planning, the San Francisco Municipal

Transportation Agency, and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority to look at our

ongoing and proposed transit improvement projects in District 3’s main corridors so that they are

consistent and well-integrated. This tunnel project is part of a bigger range of project opportunities

in Union Square, Chinatown and North Beach, including streetscape accommodations related to

the new Central Subway."

“We’re dedicated to working with Supervisor Christensen, WalkSF and other community partners

to reduce speeding and create safer streets for Chinatown’s residents and visitors to enjoy,” said

Noah Budnick, executive director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. “San Francisco owes it

to the family of Pui Fong Yim Lee - who was struck by a car and killed while crossing the street

last year - to make hers the last pedestrian death on Stockton Street. Stockton is a vibrant, bustling,

historic street, and its residents deserve for it to be a safe one as well.”

Member, Board of Supervisors City and County of San Francisco

District 3

"Walk SF and our members are excited to kick-start a new vision for the Stockton Tunnel. The

tunnel is a critical link between communities, but is far from a pleasant place to walk. Making

the tunnel safe and more welcoming for people on foot will help improve the walkability

between two great communities," stated WalkSF executive director, Nicole Ferrara.

Supervisor Christensen's office will be working with neighborhood and merchant groups on both

sides of the tunnel to forge a plan that makes the trip through the tunnel safer and more enjoyable,

especially for those walking and biking.

####