Supervisor Wong Proposes June Ballot to Reopen Great Highway

Newly appointed District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong announced plans to introduce a measure for the upcoming June ballot aimed at reopening a section of the Great Highway to weekday vehicular traffic. This roadway has been designated as a park area following the approval of Proposition K by voters in November 2024, which called for its closure to facilitate recreational use.

Proposal Details and Support

During a press conference at City Hall on Thursday, Wong revealed a draft of the measure but acknowledged that he currently lacks the necessary support from three additional supervisors to qualify his proposal. He expressed optimism about securing their backing before the filing deadline on Tuesday. Wong cited data indicating an increase in traffic incidents and injuries within his district since the closure of the Great Highway.

Wong was appointed to his position by Mayor Daniel Lurie on December 1, taking over from former Supervisor Joel Engardio, who was recalled in September. The recall campaign primarily focused on Engardio’s support for Proposition K. Wong’s efforts to reopen the highway may face challenges, as the measure will be presented to voters citywide, rather than just those on the west side.

In the November 2024 election, while a majority of west-side voters opposed the proposition, citywide support led to its passage, with approximately 54.7% voting in favor. Notably, Wong’s district recorded a significant opposition rate of 63.7%, while nearby District 1, represented by Supervisor Connie Chan, saw 63.9% oppose the measure.

Traffic Data and Community Impact

Wong believes that the data he presented about traffic issues will resonate with voters across San Francisco. He stated, “The voters of San Francisco have great reason to consider this measure given the new information that we have since the closure of the Great Highway.” He emphasized the impact of the closure, which has redirected around 14,000 commuters onto local neighborhood streets, leading to what he described as “undeniable” effects on traffic flow and safety.

According to Wong, traffic injury data from the city indicated that incidents in his district nearly doubled from 37 reported injuries to 67 within six months following the closure. He noted, “Because we closed the road doesn’t mean that the traffic disappears. They need to find other routes, and those are people that are taking their kids to school, commuting to work, going to the Veterans Affairs hospital.”

Although Wong’s proposal aims to address traffic concerns, it has met with immediate criticism from park supporters. Lucas Lux, President of the Friends of Sunset Dunes, expressed skepticism about Wong’s plans, questioning the feasibility and costs associated with reopening the road. He stated, “Supervisor Wong was unable to explain even the most basic details about his proposal at a town hall last night, including how much it would cost taxpayers to rip out The City’s third most-visited park.” Lux criticized Wong for what he termed a misrepresentation of traffic data to support his proposal.

The Great Highway was closed in April 2020, extending from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard, to create more space for recreational activities and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the road reopened to weekday traffic in August 2021, it remained closed on weekends. Wong, who opposed Proposition K during the election, has since met with constituents from both sides of the issue and feels compelled to support the reopening of the highway for weekday vehicles.

Supporters of Wong’s measure, including founder of the advocacy group LivableSF, Vin Budhai, attended the press conference, endorsing the proposal as a return to a hybrid approach that previously worked. Budhai remarked, “Since Prop. K was initiated, unnecessary traffic has been pushed into our residential streets, and commute times have gotten worse, and safety conditions in surrounding neighborhoods have declined.”

In March 2025, a group of city residents and LivableSF filed a lawsuit contesting the legal validity of Proposition K. A judge recently ruled against the plaintiffs, who intend to appeal the decision, according to their attorney, Jim Sutton. One of the plaintiffs, Albert Chow, a member of LivableSF and an organizer of the Engardio recall, expressed surprise at Wong’s delayed recognition of the need to reopen the Great Highway.

As the June ballot approaches, Wong’s proposal remains a focal point of debate, reflecting broader concerns about traffic management, public space, and community safety in San Francisco.