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Planning Commission certifies final EIR for Islais Creek (3rd Street) Bridge replacement
Summary
The commission unanimously certified the final EIR for the Islais Creek (3rd Street) Bridge replacement project, approving a preferred single‑span precast variant that shortens full closure to 15 months but leaves unavoidable transit delays and impacts to historic resources, per staff analysis.
San Francisco — The Planning Commission on Nov. 6 certified the final environmental impact report for the Islais Creek (3rd Street) Bridge replacement project in the Bayview, voting 7–0 to approve the EIR and a revised, expedited construction variant.
Public Works and planning staff presented a preferred project variant — a single‑span precast adjacent box‑beam design — that would simplify construction and reduce the period the bridge is closed to most modes from 24 months to about 15 months. The design raises the bridge deck by approximately 3–4 feet to improve resilience to predicted sea‑level rise and meets current seismic standards.
Staff said the EIR identifies several significant impacts that remain unavoidable even with mitigation: construction‑related transit delays (affecting T‑Third Street and 19 Polk riders) and impacts to historic resources because the existing Art Moderne‑style bridge is eligible for listing in the National Register. Public Works proposed mitigation measures, a community engagement and mobility strategy, and coordination with SFMTA to reduce transit impacts; SFMTA staff said the agency will evaluate routing, bus bridges and options for using Illinois Street to maintain access during construction.
Commissioners and union representatives emphasized the need for robust community outreach and mobility planning during construction. Thomas Reutman, Public Works project manager, said the team has met with neighborhood and business groups, the Port, and the Bayview Alliance over the past 18 months and will continue iterative engagement. SFMTA staff said some transit impacts will persist while final mitigation options are evaluated.
On the motion to certify the final EIR and accept the preferred variant, the commission voted unanimously 7–0. The project will next seek approvals from the Department of Public Works director and the SFMTA Board as it moves into design and procurement.
