The Insanity Of Closing The Great Highway - My Idea Of What Should Be Done

I have lived all my sixty-one years in the Richmond District.  I know what the purpose of the Great Highway means to the Westside Residents. I know what it was meant to be and meant to continue to be.  It's a meant thoroughfare, that connects the western side of The City to the Peninsula.  

Like many, I have cursed about the covid closures of necessary roadways, that have left too much of the Richmond and Sunset District drivers battling obstacles, just to get from one place to another.  But, we all put up with it during the shutdowns, because it was an understandable effort to create more space while distancing was encouraged.  That need ended over three years ago.  Yet our Districts Residents continue to deal with the frustration of the selfish who have rallied to keep the closures permanent.  Succeeding in the closure of JFK Drive at the east end of Golden Gate Park, and the too many to name Slow Streets that are ridiculous and hazardous.

There are so many reasons that have surfaced in media and from those opposing the closure of the Upper Great Highway Roadway.  I agree with them all.  I'm not even in favor of the weekend compromise.  

Aside from complaining about the closure, I hadn't done much else.  Then, one day a couple months ago, as I crossed Sloat onto the Great Highway North, an idea popped into my mind.  I have a fixer mentality, so I was surprised I hadn't thought of it sooner.  Sooner, like before it got to the point of being in the ballot!  While my mind is always working, mostly thinking about how to fix Our Zoo, I procrastinate too long with documenting my thoughts.  So, here I sit a week before the Election, documenting my idea and putting it out there.  

It's so late in the game, that it may not make any difference, but maybe it will change a few minds pre-Election, and if NO on Prop K wins, maybe it will soothe alot of minds, knowing that there is a more logical (in my opinion) option to bringing Green/Recreational space to the Great Highway Corridor, just not where those in favor of Prop K selfishly want it.

My vision seems so logical, logistically and visually, that I can't believe this alternate to closing the Great Highway, has not been mentioned before.  That has to be either because no one has thought of it, or no one has thought of it because they have been too busy being hell-bent on being anti-car.

Here's an overhead of what I think is the better way to bring Green/Recreational space to the Great Highway Corridor.

In this aerial view you will see several things, but the most important is that the Upper Great Highway, remains the same. A continuous vehicle thorough-fare, from Point Lobos to Skyline South, with a North and South roadway from Lincoln to Sloat, open 365-24/7.  

This also shows not one but two Green/Recreational spaces. One in the stretch from Fulton to Lincoln, the other in the stretch from Sloat to the area south towards Skyline.  I think that the placement of these two spaces is logistically and visually logical.  Each is adjacent to already established Green areas, the Park and the Zoo.  

Creating a recreational space between Fulton and Lincoln is not just a logistical no brainer.  This area is desperate for a renovation.  The seawall is crumbling and the parking lot is a mess.  The whole length of that seawall needs repair. The stretch from Point Lobos to Skyline is part of the 49 Mile Scenic Drive.  This area should be beautiful.  We are lucky to have the Pacific Ocean along our western side.  It should reflect the jewel it is, not be a run-down eyesore.  Additionally, the parking lot has become a criminal hotbed.  It's not even safe to park there and watch the sunset.

You will see a notation regarding the road closure of MLK from GH to Chain of Lakes.  There is no reason for this road to be closed.  Though I will say that this closure provides a recreational space, that should be noted, as it is another reason, creating an additional recreational space on the Great Highway roadway is outrageous. .... I show it reopened as with my notation that shows the Green/Recreational space between Fulton and Lincoln, that would take-away the parking in that location.  Reopening MLK would provide for that lost parking. 

There is also a notation about the roadway South Bound of Sloat and Great Highway, & North Bound to Sloat and Great Highway.  It's been reported that eventually, the North Bound GH lanes will be permanently closed.  I actually don't think this is a bad idea, as the Zoo's parking lot exit onto GH is problematic in my opinion.  When it rains, visitors who have parked in the lot, most often have to drive through a foot or more of water turning onto the GH.  It's bad for cars.  The Zoo lot can easily accommodate both entrance and exit via Sloat. This will allow for South Bound lanes to continue to flow from Upper Great Highway to Skyline.  Ideally shifting East a bit to account for work to secure that shoreline, both from erosion and sand, as well to create a recreational space in the location of that parking lot and south.

Additionally, something needs to be done about the sand.  We can't just rely on little boys from the City coming out and pushing sand around with their dump trucks.  Other than the more recent effort of flattening the dunes, the efforts for the last couple years have been comical.  The dunes need to be completely flattened, ice plants covering the whole sand area, and concrete retaining walls at least three feet tall, running the entire length of Great Highway.  I'd like to see some Ocean themed etchings at least along some parts of it, similar to this wall in Marin.

This all said, two facts remain... 

First, Great Highway is a necessary thorough-fare for all vehicles, both personal and emergency.  I recently was standing at 41st and Chain of Lakes, after 3p, and a Fire Engine came west down Lincoln, almost hesitating to turn into the Park, because it was backed-up.  In addition to other issues, THIS is a real problem.  Two subsequent Engines came by and passed Chain of Lakes, opting to go to beach and around.  Depending on the emergency, that extra time to take an in direct route or be stick in gridlock, is NOT acceptable.  

Second... There is ALREADY a Great Walkway path along the Great Highway road.  That path above road level runs the length from Lincoln to Sloat.  As well, there is a bike lane that runs the same stretch on both the East and West sides.  If people want to do more than bike and walk, they need to go to the park with their skates and tricycles and other flailing about.

It is shameful that with not only a City full of recreational space, that the Great Highway is being eyed as yet another, when literally steps away, there is a three mile stretch of Beach to the West and a three mile stretch of Park to the East.

Vote NO on Prop K, so we can Stop this Insanity.

Related Post:

The Insanity Of Closing The Great Highway - Supplemental Videos

https://oldgaloutthere.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-insanity-of-closing-great-highway_27.html

*All posts are the Personal Opinion of this Old Gal.