San Francisco leaders revive push for $1.4B Central Subway linking Chinatown to North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco officials are officially revisiting the long-stalled proposal to extend the Central Subway from its current Chinatown terminal to North Beach and Fisherman’s Wharf.

In a Board of Supervisors hearing on Monday night, District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter convened a hearing before the city’s Land Use and Transportation Committee to reflect on the subway’s progress and possibilities.

He argued that the subway cannot reach its full potential until it connects to the waterfront, estimating a travel time of eight minutes from Moscone Center to the Wharf.

“We should reflect on what is working, where we’ve fallen short, and what’s next,” Sauter said.

We’ve been here before. The idea of expansion has been on the table for more than a decade. The Chinatown-Rose Pak Station opened at the end of 2022, and earlier studies mapped out potential routes north of that stop.

Options included a two-way line along Columbus Avenue, a Stockton Street loop, a stretch to Beach Street, or a one-way loop through the neighborhood.

Residents and neighborhood leaders expressed both excitement and caution.

“We know it would be a challenging project. But we would be excited,” said Blair Helsing, president of North Beach Neighbors.

Nick Ferris, president of the Telegraph Hill Dwellers, added, “I’d love to have a stop in North Beach. Period. But the question that comes to mind is, just where on earth is the money going to come from?”

Public commenters echoed those concerns. Some argued ridership benefits have fallen short, while others urged the city to finish what has already been started.

“Right now we have a tunnel just needing a station,” one speaker said.

Another noted the delays: “I was 8 years old when we started the construction. Now I’m 24, and I hope I will not be at the Columbus Street station at the age of 40.”

The cost remains uncertain.

In 2020, the extension was estimated at $1.6 billion for one mile, though about half a mile of tunnel had already been dug. Sauter said an update is needed on the estimated cost, while SFMTA senior manager Sean Kennedy said it could be lower than predicted due to work already done.

Business impacts also came into focus. Helsing said an extension could boost restaurant traffic by making the area more accessible. Ferris worried about disruption.

“There’s a lot of concern about what’s going to happen if we have to dig up these roads. How is that going to impact these businesses? Is it going to put them out of business?” wondered Ferris.

All of this debate comes as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency faces a budget deficit of more than $430 million over the next five years.

In a statement to ABC7 News, the agency said: “Ridership on the T Third Line continues to grow, with most of its trips operating through the Central Subway. We thank Supervisor Sauter for the opportunity to engage in discussions around long-range strategic land use and transportation planning efforts, but in the near term, given our financial situation and the limited funding resources currently available to us, prioritizing cost-effective improvements to existing services and projects remains our top priority. The SFMTA faces a financial crisis resulting in a $307 million budget shortfall, which is projected to grow to more than $430 million over the next five years. We are focused on prioritizing reliability and efficiency improvements that support safe streets and the city’s economic recovery, while remaining mindful of our ongoing financial constraints.”

Ferris questioned whether the investment is the right priority.

“We’ve got Muni cuts. We’ve got school closures brewing. Public health and homeless services are cut. Me living in North Beach, getting a stop here, great. But is that really where we should be focusing?” said Ferris.

San Francisco leaders revive push for $1.4B Central Subway linking Chinatown to North Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf

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