Caltrans crews are repaving southbound 19th Avenue in the Sunset District from Lincoln Avenue to Sloat Boulevard.
The work has reduced traffic to a single lane, with detours in place and backups, stretching for miles at times. The work has been loud, dusty and kind of smelly, but many neighbors say the long-overdue repairs are welcome.
"We needed 19th Avenue done -- oh my God -- for so long," said Sunset resident Denis Francis.
Only one southbound lane is open through the construction zone, and drivers say delays are significant.
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"It's pretty bad. It was like 30 minutes," said motorist Joel Cardenas.
Caltrans has set up a detour through Golden Gate Park, but even that route is congested. A test drive through the detour showed delays of about 20 minutes.
The current work follows a previous phase from two weekends ago, when northbound lanes were repaved and potholes filled.
"It was a bumpy ride. So after all this is done, it will be a really smooth ride," said Caltrans spokesperson Matt O'Donnell.
The construction comes during a critical weekend for some local vendors. Flower sellers along 19th Avenue say Mother's Day traffic -- usually their busiest time of year -- has been disrupted.
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"It's the busiest weekend of the year," said Derek Rodriguez, who works at Brothers Papadopoulos Flowers. "Some people aren't sure where to park. Getting across the street has been a challenge."
Caltrans says additional crossing guards are helping pedestrians navigate the area safely.
Officials say the project will continue over Memorial Day weekend, when crews plan to repave 19th Avenue from Sloat Boulevard to Holloway Avenue in both directions.
Detours will remain in place as the work continues.
For many commuters, the temporary frustration is a fair tradeoff.
"Every morning I go to work, the car's bouncing all over the place," Francis said. "This is fantastic -- long overdue."