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San Francisco's Sunset Dunes park shows minor traffic impacts, data says

San Francisco's Sunset Dunes park shows minor traffic impacts, data says

Built World San Francisco, CA local

Voters rejected Proposition G with about 63% of the vote, keeping the coastal park car-free.

November 3rd, 2026: Voters reject Proposition G, keeping Sunset Dunes car-free

Overview

Updated 7 days ago

San Francisco voters rejected Proposition G on Nov. 3, keeping the Upper Great Highway closed to cars and Sunset Dunes open as a full-time park. About 63% voted no, according to the San Francisco Standard.

Proposition K made the closure permanent in 2024. The fight cost former Supervisor Joel Engardio his seat in a 2025 recall, and this year's measure was backed by his successor, Alan Wong. Traffic studies have found modest increases on nearby streets, and the city controller estimated reopening the road would cost $20 million over five years.

Why it matters

The vote keeps a 50-acre park car-free, but opponents say they will keep fighting in court and at the ballot.

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Key Indicators

30 seconds
Average daily increase on 29 Sunset bus
SFMTA data from May 2025 showed a 30-second average daily increase on the 29 Sunset, with a 44-second decrease during the morning peak southbound.
2,000
Additional vehicles per day on Chain of Lakes Drive
Compared with pre-closure levels.
700
Additional vehicles per day on Lower Great Highway
About one extra vehicle per minute at peak hour.
50 acres
Size of Sunset Dunes park
California's largest pedestrianization project.
13,000
Visitors on opening day
April 12, 2025.
54%
Citywide vote for Proposition K
November 2024.
64%
District 4 vote against Proposition K
The supervisor who backed it was recalled in 2025.
62.8%
Vote against Proposition G
Share of voters rejecting the measure to reopen the road on weekdays, according to the San Francisco Standard.
$20 million
Estimated cost to reopen road
City controller's five-year estimate.
2.1 million
Visits to Sunset Dunes through mid-2026
Through the second quarter of 2026, according to San Francisco Recreation and Parks.

Voices

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People Involved

Joel Engardio
Joel Engardio
District 4 Supervisor, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Recalled in September 2025; no longer in office.
LL
Lucas Lux
President, Friends of Sunset Dunes
President of Friends of Sunset Dunes; campaign manager for No on G.
 Alan Wong
Alan Wong
District 4 Supervisor, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Took office after the 2025 recall; supported Proposition G, which voters rejected.

Organizations Involved

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
Transportation agency
Released traffic data, monitoring impacts

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency manages transit and traffic in the city.
Friends of Sunset Dunes
Friends of Sunset Dunes
Advocacy group
Supports park; opposed Proposition G.

A community group that advocates for Sunset Dunes park.

Timeline

November 2024 November 2026

8 events Latest: November 3rd, 2026 · 1 week ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Voters reject Proposition G, keeping Sunset Dunes car-free

    Latest Election

    About 63% of voters said no to reopening the Upper Great Highway to cars on weekdays. It was the third ballot measure on car access in four years.

  2. Ocean Beach resilience project delayed to late 2029

    Infrastructure

    The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission pushed the start of the Great Highway Extension replacement to late 2029, with completion no earlier than 2033. The project is meant to protect a wastewater tunnel and the zoo from coastal erosion.

  3. Voters recall District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio

    Election

    Voters recalled Supervisor Joel Engardio. Alan Wong is now the District 4 supervisor.

  4. SFMTA releases Spring 2025 traffic data showing 30-second average increase on 29 Sunset

    Data release

    The report found minor traffic shifts largely aligned with pre-closure projections.

  5. Recall organizers submit 10,523 valid signatures against Supervisor Joel Engardio

    Recall

    The signatures triggered a special election for the District 4 seat.

  6. Sunset Dunes park opens to the public

    Opening

    The 50-acre park welcomed 13,000 visitors on its first day.

  7. City closes Upper Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard

    Closure

    The two-mile stretch was closed to cars to make way for the new park.

  8. Proposition K passes, approving closure of Upper Great Highway

    Vote

    The ballot measure passed with 54% citywide support, though 64% of District 4 voters opposed it.

Scenarios

1

Great Highway Extension closes on schedule in early 2027

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: SFMTA and Caltrans

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has pushed the project start to late 2029, with completion no earlier than 2033. The early-2027 closure is no longer on schedule.

2

SFMTA completes new traffic signals at Lincoln Way and La Playa by end of 2026

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: SFMTA

The agency proposed new signals and turn restrictions to reduce congestion. If installed, they could cut delays on nearby routes. SFMTA has not set a firm completion date.

3

Traffic on Chain of Lakes Drive returns to pre-closure levels by 2027

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: SFMTA data

Current data shows about 2,000 more vehicles per day on Chain of Lakes. If drivers adapt or take other routes, volumes could fall. SFMTA will continue monitoring.

4

Opponents file another legal challenge to the car-free Great Highway

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Proposition G opponents

Some backers of reopening the road said after the vote that they would keep fighting through lawsuits and future ballot measures. A new challenge would need to overcome the 2024 and 2026 votes.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1989-1991

Embarcadero Freeway removal (1991)

The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the Embarcadero Freeway in San Francisco. The city demolished it in 1991 instead of rebuilding, despite fears of traffic chaos.

Then

Traffic initially increased on nearby streets, but congestion was less severe than predicted.

Now

The waterfront reopened, leading to revitalization of the Embarcadero and Ferry Building.

Why this matters now

Like the Great Highway closure, it shows removing a highway can have modest traffic impacts and long-term benefits.

2003-2005

Cheonggyecheon restoration (2003-2005)

Seoul removed a 5.8-kilometer elevated highway covering the Cheonggyecheon stream and restored the waterway as a public space.

Then

Traffic congestion initially worsened, but public transit use increased.

Now

The project became a model for urban renewal and reduced car use.

Why this matters now

It shows that major road removals can be politically controversial but can shift travel behavior.

2009

Times Square pedestrianization (2009)

New York City closed parts of Broadway to cars in Times Square in 2009, initially as a pilot, despite traffic concerns.

Then

Traffic slowed on some nearby streets, but overall delays were less than feared.

Now

The pedestrian plaza became permanent and popular, boosting local business.

Why this matters now

It illustrates how temporary data can inform permanent changes, similar to the Great Highway closure.

Sources

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+4
SFMTA Hoodline San Francisco Standard KQED San Francisco Chronicle The Frisc SFGuide AsAmNews KQED San Francisco Chronicle