After much anticipation and controversy, the Upper Great Highway in San Francisco has seen its final day of vehicle traffic. The stretch between Lincoln Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, along with the Great Highway Extension's southbound lanes from Sloat to Skyline boulevards, is now permanently closed as the city moves forward with its plans to transform the area into Ocean Beach Park. According to an NBC Bay Area report, the park will feature lookout points, art installations, and space for both recreation and performances.
Starting today, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will begin upgrading intersection signals and pavement and creating safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians. Despite the obstacles, residents and city workers alike are poised to witness the transformation of the existing roadway into a community asset. However, as per ABC7 News, some concerns remain, particularly regarding the rerouting of traffic and the impact on neighborhood congestion.
The project, propelled by the passing of Proposition K in the November election, has sparked legal challenges from critics who argue that the road closure violates state laws and lacks a comprehensive environmental impact review. A lawsuit has been filed this week against the city with these accusations, as reported by ABC7 News. Still, proponents of the conversion are looking forward to the increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists and the new recreational opportunities the park will provide.
The park, currently called Ocean Beach Park, will eventually be given a permanent name decided by public submission. An online forum to discuss these submissions is scheduled for next Tuesday at 6 p.m., with the formal selection process to occur between March 20 and April 2. According to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department's social media post, the public can contribute their suggestions for the park's name through their website. The park's ecological sustainability is also a priority; dunes are to be fortified with native grasses, and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will perform its annual dune fortification starting next Monday through April 9 to safeguard against the impacts of erosion and rising sea levels.
Reminder: The Upper Great Highway between Lincoln Avenue & Sloat Boulevard, & the Great Highway Extension southbound lanes from Sloat to Skyline boulevards will be permanently closed to private vehicles tomorrow, 3/14. pic.twitter.com/t4F7hpx9QO
— San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (@RecParkSF) March 14, 2025
