PRESS ADVISORY 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JAN. 15, 2013 

Contact: Rachel Gordon, DPW communications director 

(415) 554-6045 or rachel.gordon@sfdpw.org

Great Highway Improvements Set to Begin

Voter-backed bond money to pay for road repaving and new streetscape project

San Francisco, CA – The Great Highway, which stretches nearly half the length of the City’s majestic western seaboard, will get an overhaul that starts Wednesday. 

The road repaving and streetscape project will offer a smoother roadway for all users and improve pedestrian and bicycle access to Ocean Beach and the adjacent promenade at the west end of Golden Gate Park.

Construction will begin Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, on the $7.3 million project, which is being managed by the San Francisco Department of Public Works. Construction is expected to last nine months.

Once completed, the entire length of the Great Highway will be repaved. The project also includes transforming the streetscape between Fulton Street and Lincoln Avenue on the Great Highway with pedestrian and bicycle improvements and a new landscaped median that will include coastal, drought-tolerant plants and provide a safe stopping point for people crossing the four-lane road.

In addition, upgrades will be made to the irrigation and drainage systems along the Great Highway, and the intersections will be made accessible with the addition of ADA-compliant curb ramps. The first phase of the project consists of replacement of the water main, starting at Point Lobos Avenue and running south to approximately Lincoln Way.

“This exciting project really emphasizes the power of collaboration. Plans for the Great Highway renovation were developed in partnership with the community and local, regional and federal agencies,” said Mohammed Nuru, Director of the Department of Public Works. “DPW is pleased to break ground on this important project that would not have been made possible without the generous support of voters in the Richmond and Sunset districts and other neighborhoods throughout the City.”

The project is largely funded with money from the $248 million citywide 2011 Road Repaving and Street Safety Bond. Streetscape improvements, such as pedestrian and biking enhancements, landscaping, curb ramps, lighting upgrades and landscaping, account for $50 million of the bond proceeds. Of the nearly 100 streetscape projects in the pipeline, the Great Highway upgrade is the first to start construction. Among others in the pipeline are improvement plans for Polk, Irving, Taraval, Fell, Oak, 17th and Palou streets.

Aspects of the Great Highway streetscape project came out of the SPUR Ocean Beach Master Plan. The long-range vision document -- jointly developed by government agencies, community activists and advocacy groups -- focuses on ways to improve the high-use and environmentally sensitive urban area.

"We're really pleased to see this streetscape project go forward,” said Benjamin Grant, public realm and urban design manager for the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), the civic think-tank that oversaw development of the master plan. “The new medians and crossings will improve safety and the experience of arriving at the beach. It's very much in line with the community's wishes and master plan recommendations."

Traffic impacts during construction: Short segments of one lane may be closed temporarily to accommodate construction in a particular area, but it is anticipated that vehicles still will be able to travel along the Great Highway in both directions. Electronic message boards have been erected in the area to alert drivers of traffic impacts. In addition, the public can receive current information on the project at www.sfdpw.org/greathighway, and also sign up for e-mail alerts. DPW is working with event organizers to assure that activities, such as the Bay to Breakers and Sunday Streets, will not be adversely impacted.

About DPW: DPW is responsible for the care and maintenance of San Francisco’s streets and much of its infrastructure in the public right-of-way. The department cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and maintains City street trees; designs, constructs and maintains City-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; constructs curb ramps; removes graffiti from public property; and partners with the diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco to provide stellar cleaning and greening services.