PRESS RELEASE - Annual Great Highway Sand Relocation Project Starts Wednesday - 6/15/2018

For immediate release: June 15, 2018

Contact: Rachel Gordon, 415-554-6045

 

Southbound Traffic to Be Impacted During Partial Roadway Closure 

 

San Francisco, CA – Starting Wednesday, June 20, 2018, San Francisco Public Works will begin the annual sand maintenance activities along the Great Highway adjacent to Ocean Beach. 

 

Crews will redistribute approximately 8,000 cubic yards of sand during the two-week window, moving it from the side of the roadway toward the ocean. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of sand buildup on the Great Highway during windy weather.

 

One lane of traffic for southbound Great Highway, between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard, will be closed to traffic starting Wednesday for up to eight weekdays, from approximately 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., while crews work in the area. Motorists may want to use alternate routes, such as Sunset Boulevard, to avoid delays. Drivers also are encouraged to be aware, slow down and watch out for crews to ensure everyone’s safety.

 

In addition to the removal of sand at the seawall between Noriega Street and Santiago Street, the project will address the sand accumulation at the Judah Street and Noriega Street intersections.

  

Public Works has a small window to perform the annual work; it must be timed to make sure crews do not disturb the Western Snowy Plover, a small shorebird that is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The plovers can be found at Ocean Beach about 10 months out of the year, but take off in the spring or early summer to nest in other coastal areas and inland salt flats. Monitors with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and Golden Gate Audubon Society have confirmed that the plovers have left Ocean Beach and that it is safe to begin relocating the sand.

 

The work is being done in coordination with the GGNRA and under a special-use permit for activities that occur on federal parklands.

 

Public Works has hired Yerba Buena Engineering & Construction, Inc. to perform this work.

 

About San Francisco Public Works: The 24/7 City agency cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and nurtures City-maintained street trees; designs, constructs and maintains City-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; builds curb ramps; eradicates graffiti; partners with neighborhoods; trains people for jobs; greens the right of way; and educates our communities.

 

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