Court orders work on Muni’s Mission Bay Loop stopped

Last month, we told you about residents’ efforts to stop SFMTA from constructing a streetcar “loop” in Dogpatch. Muni wants the loop so that it would be able to turn southbound T-Third trains around. The efforts involved a protest on Feb. 12 near the site of the proposed loop.

SFGate reports that yesterday, a state court ordered construction, already under way, stopped.

The work was scheduled to be completed in October. But the First District Court of Appeal issued a stay Tuesday of any orders for demolition, excavation or construction while it considers the case, and scheduled written arguments through March 27.

The lawsuit by a group of residents and business owners contends the city’s 15-year-old environmental assessment has become obsolete because of an influx of apartments, condominiums and stores in the neighborhood.

Muni rider and Bayview resident Carol agrees that the assessment is no longer relevant. “I think another impact study needs to be done, because (back then) the future of SF’s southeast still seemed like there would be growth, but I don’t think anyone could have guessed how the area has changed. Speaking not only to the impact of traffic and congestion, but even more so of the accessibility for the city’s most southeastern neighborhoods. Bayview and Sunnydale are huge neighborhoods, yet they have the worst transit options. From what I’ve seen of the plans, any of the future changes are only going to create further slowing of and a decrease in service. Even if the loop is moved further south, to the yard at 23rd Street and Third, it will cause issues for everyone, but mostly Muni commuters south of it.”

Read the rest of the SFGate article here.

We’ll keep you updated on any progress in the story.

Photo by Nate Mahoney