San Francisco's Folsom Street Project Extends to 2026, Drawing Public Scrutiny on Duration and Homelessness Spending

San Francisco's extensive Folsom Streetscape Project, spanning from 2nd to 11th streets, is now projected for substantial completion by October 2026, nearly two and a half years after its May 2024 commencement. The prolonged infrastructure work, aimed at enhancing safety and urban infrastructure, has sparked public frustration, with one social media user lamenting the "neverending" nature of the construction and linking it to perceived inefficiencies in addressing the city's homelessness crisis.

The Folsom Streetscape Project, a joint effort by SF Public Works, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, encompasses critical upgrades including sewer and water line replacements, curb ramp reconstruction, new street lighting, and traffic signal modernization. As of early August 2025, the project, with an estimated duration of 950 days, is reportedly more than halfway complete, with underground utility work nearing 90% completion for sewer and drainage.

Recent activities in Segment 1, covering Folsom Street from 8th to 11th streets, include the installation of bus island pavers and ongoing pressure testing and restoration of new emergency water supply lines, scheduled through mid-September 2025. These improvements are part of San Francisco's Vision Zero initiative, designed to eliminate traffic fatalities by creating safer corridors for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users through reduced vehicle lanes and dedicated bike paths.

However, the continuous disruption has led to public weariness. A recent tweet from user @1r0nm41d3n captured this sentiment, stating, > "Here I thought city was finally done jimmyjacking Folsom between 11th-12th. It’s neverending like the homeless grift." This comment reflects a broader public skepticism regarding municipal project timelines and the efficacy of public spending.

San Francisco has allocated significant resources to address homelessness, with the Department of Homeless and Supportive Housing budgeting $846 million for fiscal year 2024-2025. Despite these substantial investments, public perception, as noted in various reports, indicates a decline in quality of life and persistent visibility of homelessness, leading to questions about accountability and the impact of funds. Recent audits have highlighted a lack of comprehensive data and oversight regarding the effectiveness of homelessness programs across California, including San Francisco, making it challenging to assess outcomes. City officials acknowledge the inconvenience posed by major construction projects and continue to refine strategies for addressing complex urban challenges like infrastructure development and the homelessness crisis.