San Francisco Sets New One-Year Record for Number of Blocks Resurfaced

For immediate release: July 7, 2015 

Contact: Rachel Gordon, 415-554-6045

San Francisco Sets New One-Year Record for Number of Blocks Resurfaced 

In the last three years, 20 percent of the City’s roads made smoother and safer

San Francisco, CA – Mayor Ed Lee and San Francisco Public Works announced today that the City resurfaced 927 blocks in the last fiscal year, the most ever in San Francisco for a one-year period.

That makes the third year in a row that the City bested its previous record, delivering on a promise made to San Francisco voters in 2011 when they passed the Road Repaving and Street Safety Bond.

The 2015 fiscal year ended June 30, marking the achievement of an ambitious commitment to repave one in five of San Francisco’s 12,855 blocks during the last three years. The treatment of 927 blocks outpaces the momentum of past record-setting years for improving the condition of the streets.

The crucial work, which took place in neighborhoods throughout San Francisco, was completed by Public Works’ crews and contractors.

The previous record was set in Fiscal Year 2013-14, when 913 blocks were treated. The year prior, 854 blocks were paved. Before passage of the three-year Streets Bond, San Francisco resurfaced about 400 blocks a year.

“We are making historic investments to improve one of our most vital transportation assets – our City’s streets,” said Mayor Lee. “We are making streets smoother and safer for all types of road users -- drivers, transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians, and we will continue to prioritize the safety of our road infrastructure.”

Much of the City’s recent roadway improvements have been funded by the voter-approved bond, which is nearing the end of its funding cycle for street paving. Under the direction of Mayor Lee, with support of the Board of Supervisors, the City has made the commitment to keep funding for street resurfacing whole through use of the City’s general fund and other revenue sources to continue the progress. The resurfacing budget for the next two years calls for a $136 million investment.

“Our streets are as important as any other part of the City infrastructure, and paving more blocks than ever means ensuring that our roads are safe, accessible and enjoyable for all,” said San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru. “At the end of the day, when you prioritize the streets, you make a meaningful difference and improve people’s everyday lives all across San Francisco.”

The continued investment will allow San Francisco to move closer to reaching its goal of achieving a citywide average Pavement Condition Index score of 70.

Street conditions and road quality are measured on a nationally standardized scale known as the Pavement Condition Index. Public Works reported a citywide average score of 67 for calendar year 2014, up from 66 the previous year and around 64 over the 10 years prior. If current funding levels and the pace of repaving efforts are maintained, the citywide average score can improve to 70 in less than 10 years – the promise made to voters. The average for California and the nation as a whole is 66.

The Pavement Condition Index assigns City blocks a score from a low of zero for the worst pothole-riddled deteriorating streets to a high of 100 for a freshly paved block. A Pavement Condition Index score of 85-100 is rated as “excellent,” 70-84 “good,” 50-69 “fair,” and 0-49 “poor.”

The Streets Bond also is funding curb-ramp construction, sidewalk and bridge repairs, streetscape improvements and traffic-signal upgrades. More information on the Streets Bond, including a listing of streetscape projects and an interactive map of each block in the Streets Bond paving and resurfacing program, can be found at streetsbondsf.org.

About San Francisco Public Works: The 24/7 City agency cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and nurtures City-maintained street trees; designs, constructs and maintains City-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; builds curb ramps; eradicates graffiti; partners with neighborhoods; trains people for jobs; greens the right of way; and educates our communities.

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