For immediate release: July 20, 2026
Contact: Rachel Gordon, rachel.gordon@sfdpw.org
Major Upgrades to Chinatown's Health Center, Library and Portsmouth Square Move Forward, Strengthening Neighborhood Landmarks for Generations to Come; Temporary Traffic and Transit Changes During Construction Start July 29
San Francisco — City officials today announced temporary traffic and transit changes to advance construction of three transformative projects in the heart of Chinatown: the upgraded Chinatown Public Health Center, the renovated Chinatown/Him Mark Lai Branch Library and the revitalized Portsmouth Square.
Two of the major construction projects — the Portsmouth Square Improvement Project and the Chinatown Public Health Center Project — will require temporary street closures, traffic detours and Muni reroutes beginning July 29, 2026.
City departments, including San Francisco Public Works, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD), the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL), the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and the Mayor’s Office, are working in close coordination to limit disruptions as a result of construction, maintain access for residents and businesses and keep communities informed with clear, timely and multilingual updates. Public Works is leading construction for all three projects.
The City has developed detailed rerouting plans and traffic mitigation measures to keep people moving safely and maintain access to neighborhood businesses throughout construction.
Key Dates and Impacts at a Glance
Dates
- Kearny Street full closures over two weekends:
- Aug. 1 at 1 a.m. to Aug. 3 at 5 a.m.
- Aug. 8 at 1 a.m. to Aug. 10 at 5 a.m.
- Kearny Street partial closures: July 29 to July 31
- Aug. 3 to Aug. 7
- Aug. 10 to Aug. 15
- Broadway Tunnel full closure:
- Aug. 15, 7 a.m. to Aug. 17, 5 a.m. (tentative)
- Broadway Tunnel partial closures:
- Aug. 17, 2026 – October 2027 (approximately)
One lane at a time will be available in each direction. This change will begin immediately following the full closure and last approximately 14 months; motorists using the tunnel should expect delays during peak travel times.
Locations
- Kearny Street, between Clay and Washington streets, near Portsmouth Square
- Broadway Tunnel, Broadway, between Larkin and Powell streets
Major closures
The City will monitor transportation conditions during construction activities. Traffic and transit rerouting plans are subject to change.
- Kearny Street, between Clay and Washington streets, will be fully closed Aug. 1-2 and Aug. 8-9; Portsmouth Square Garage will be closed during these weekend closures.
- Broadway Tunnel will be fully closed Aug. 15-16. The tunnel has two bores, one in each direction. Immediately following the full closure, one bore at a time will be reconfigured to accommodate two-way traffic, one lane in each direction. This change will last approximately 14 months.
Partial closures
- Kearny Street will be partially closed Aug. 3-7, with at least two lanes open at all times. Portsmouth Square Garage will remain open. Periodic lane closures on Kearny Street for short periods may be necessary to complete demolition work.
Transit impacts
- The 8-Bayshore line will be rerouted during Kearny Street weekend closures (8AX/8BX unaffected — no weekend service). During the weekend closures, the Muni stop on Kearny Street at Clay Street will be unavailable; please use the stop on Clay Street at Montgomery Street (transfer point for the 1-California) or on Kearny Street at Jackson Street during the weekends.
- During the weekday partial closure Aug. 3-7, the Muni stop on Kearny Street at Clay Street will be unavailable and there will be a temporary stop on Kearny Street at Commercial Street. During the Aug. 10-15 partial closures, the 8-Bayshore will operate with no changes to the route or stops.
- Signs will be posted at the affected bus stops alerting passengers of the changes.
Parking impacts
- Portsmouth Square Garage will be closed Aug. 1-2 and Aug. 8-9. Monthly parkers should use the St. Mary’s Square Garage at 433 Kearny St.
Soon, the SFMTA will implement more parking and curb access near Portsmouth Square under the Chinatown Parking & Transit Improvements Project. Working with Chinatown community stakeholders, 23 parking spaces, including more loading zones, will bring more parking and better curb access for merchants and visitors, and improvements to traffic congestion and reliability for Muni’s 1-California route.
The work will occur on the blocks of Clay Street between Kearny Street and Sansome Street, and Sacramento Street between Powell Street and Stockton Street. Visit SFMTA.com/ChinatownParking for more information.
Approximate total construction duration
- Portsmouth Square: 25 months
- Chinatown Public Health Center: 30 months
- Chinatown Library: 30 months
Keeping people moving safely
To support safe and efficient travel for motorists, transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists, the projects will employ a range of traffic mitigation measures, including:
- During the bridge demolition, portable changeable message signs at Kearny and Post streets, Kearny and California streets, and Clay Street at Waverly Place directing drivers around the closure and to alternative routes
- During the Broadway Tunnel closure, portable changeable message signs will be installed at key intersections to direct drivers to use alternate routes to bypass the closure area
- City-owned permanent variable message signs alerting drivers outside the neighborhood about the street closures
- Multilingual signage near the construction sites identifying alternative paths for pedestrian, bike and vehicle travel
- Traffic control officers and construction flaggers to help manage traffic impacts on weekends and during the workweek
- Temporary pavement markings and other traffic control devices, as needed
Where to get updates
- For more information about the projects, visit Public Works’ Chinatown projects page. Traffic and transit reroutes are subject to change. Check sfmta.com/gochinatown for the
- latest information before traveling. Stay up to date and sign up for construction impact email notifications.
Community outreach
Collectively, the improvements total more than $150 million and represent one of the City's most significant investments in the historic neighborhood in decades — strengthening essential community spaces while honoring the neighborhood's unique character and cultural heritage. San Francisco is home to the oldest Chinatown in the country and a thriving hub of Chinese American culture, commerce and community life dating back to the 1840s.
The City's outreach effort has been built around meeting Chinatown residents, merchants and visitors where they are — in person and on the digital platforms the community uses every day. Project teams have gone door to door to talk with nearby merchants, residents and property owners, distributed bilingual flyers and construction notices and hosted an open house, held community meetings and project presentations throughout the neighborhood.
The City also has worked closely with organizations residents already trust — meeting with neighborhood groups and merchant associations and coordinating with schools, senior housing sites and community service providers to reach those most affected by construction. Staying informed is easy: The community receives bilingual newsletter updates, weekly notices through WeChat and neighborhood chat groups, and advance notification of road closures, parking restrictions, transit changes and detour routes. Residents can meet the Portsmouth Square construction team in person during on-site project office hours and QR codes and project website links posted throughout the neighborhood connect community members to the latest information.
Portsmouth Square: Kearny Street pedestrian bridge demolition
As part of the Portsmouth Square Improvement Project, crews will demolish the Kearny Street pedestrian bridge, requiring the closure of Kearny Street between Clay and Washington streets in August 2026. Removing the bridge will create a brighter, more open Portsmouth Square with improved visibility and 20,000 additional square feet of usable space for people to gather, move through the plaza and enjoy community events. The work involves both full and partial street closures to accommodate demolition activities and ensure public safety.
Chinatown Public Health Center: Broadway Tunnel reinforcement
The Chinatown Public Health Center sits directly above Broadway and requires seismic upgrades. Because the building's structural supports connect to the Broadway Tunnel's east entrance, a temporary closure of the tunnel is necessary to safely complete the seismic work.
A refreshed Broadway Tunnel
In addition to renovating the Chinatown Public Health Center, the City will enhance the Broadway Tunnel for the thousands of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians who use it every day. As part of the project, the City will install new wall and ceiling tiles in the tunnel, replace the existing lighting with brighter, energy-efficient LED fixtures and reconstruct the roadway, center concrete island and pedestrian walkways. Together, these improvements will create a cleaner, safer and more welcoming tunnel for everyone who travels through it.
For drivers traveling longer distances, regional alternate routes using Van Ness Avenue, Franklin Street, Bay Street, Columbus Avenue, Bush Street and The Embarcadero have been identified to bypass the closure area. Changeable message signs will direct drivers to the alternate routes.
A new Chinatown Public Health Center
The project includes a comprehensive seismic retrofit and significant upgrades to mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and fire alarm systems. It also includes hazmat abatement and the installation of solar panels.
Internally, the building will be modernized with new interiors. Externally, the building will be enhanced with new cladding, including metal panels, storefronts and curtainwall systems. Public art installations will be placed throughout the building's floors.
Chinatown/Him Mark Lai Branch Library
The Chinatown/Him Mark Lai Branch Library, a cherished neighborhood landmark built in 1921, will undergo a significant renovation to serve current and future generations of library patrons. The upgraded branch will remain a welcoming, multigenerational space for learning, creativity and cultural connection, featuring improved accessibility, multilingual resources and expanded areas for children, teens and community gatherings — all while preserving the historic Carnegie building's architectural charm and panoramic views. The grand reading room will be restored to its original architectural character.
Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026. Traffic and public transit impacts are expected to be minimal based on construction needs. More information about transportation impacts will be provided as it becomes available.
For more information about the projects, visit Public Works’ Chinatown projects page. Traffic and transit reroutes are subject to change. Check sfmta.com/gochinatown for the latest information before traveling. Stay up to date and sign up for construction impact email notifications.
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