theguardian.com
San Francisco Closes Highway to Create Park
San Francisco voters approved Proposition K, permanently closing a section of the Upper Great Highway to cars and creating a new park.
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United Kingdom
PoliticsUs PoliticsEnvironmentInfrastructureCommunityTransportation
San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Parks AllianceSierra ClubOpen The Great Highway/No On K CampaignSan Francisco's Department Of Elections
Nancy PelosiScott WienerLondon BreedVin BudhaiJoel Engardio
- What are the main arguments for and against Proposition K?
- Supporters of Prop K argue that closing the highway will mitigate coastal erosion, create a safer pedestrian space, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save the city money on maintenance costs, while opponents worry about increased traffic congestion and safety risks at intersections.
- What is the historical context of the debate over Proposition K?
- The debate over Prop K stems from a COVID-19 pandemic-era closure of the highway, which proved popular, leading to a weekend-only closure pilot program that will conclude at the end of 2025. The proposition's passage makes the closure permanent.
- What was the outcome of the vote on Proposition K in San Francisco?
- Proposition K, a San Francisco ballot measure, passed with over 54% of the vote, permanently closing a two-mile section of the Upper Great Highway to cars and transforming it into a pedestrian and cyclist park.
- What is the plan for addressing concerns from residents who voted against Proposition K?
- Despite the passage of Prop K, Supervisor Joel Engardio stated his commitment to addressing concerns from residents who voted against the measure, focusing on traffic management and minimizing impacts on neighborhood streets.
- Who were some of the key figures and organizations that supported and opposed Proposition K?
- Notable endorsements for Prop K included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, State Senator Scott Wiener, and San Francisco Mayor London Breed, while opponents included San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin and former interim Mayor Mark Farrell.