After a narrow race, Prop K–a ballot measure that would permanently close the Great Highway for recreation–won. As of press time, 54.2 percent voted Yes and 45.7 percent voted No. Votes are still being counted.
Though the proposition only concerns a strip of highway, it has proved to be one of the most divisive measures on the San Francisco ballot this election.
Those in the west of San Francisco–who live close to the Great Highway and use it the most often–overwhelmingly voted ‘No’ to keep the highway open, and those in the east–miles away from the road–overwhelmingly voted ‘Yes’ to close it down.
Lucas Lux, head of the Yes on K campaign, told The Crusader that “Because we live in the Outer Sunset, we know neighbors who voted against K, and have heard their concerns about traffic safety in the neighborhood. We share a desire for safe residential streets, and look forward to working with our neighbors–whether they voted for or against Prop K–to find common ground and implement traffic safety improvements to benefit the whole community.”
The No on K campaign did not respond to The Crusader’s request for a statement.
A pandemic-era decision, the Great Highway is currently closed to cars on the weekends for recreation and open for traffic on the weekdays. Along with permanently closing it to cars, Prop K would aim to transform the Great Highway into an oceanside park with recreation amenities that supporters say would decrease beach pollution and increase community engagement. The highway’s partial closure already sees 10,000 visitors every weekend.
Lux said, “Every major environmental group in San Francisco endorsed Prop K because it is the best plan for our coast. Removing automobile pollution – especially runoff pollution from tires and brakes – from our coast is better for the coastal ecosystem and the wildlife that call it home.”
Opponents point out that the current situation is already a compromise that meets driver needs and pedestrian wants. The Great Highway is a crucial transportation corridor that connects San Francisco to the Richmond, they say, and is frequently utilized by the working class families of the Outer Sunset.
Counselor David Canales ’02, who grew up in the Sunset, expressed, “What bothers me is the Great Highway is essential for transportation reasons. We already live in a neighborhood that’s farthest away from freeways. Yeah, I’m okay with it being closed on weekends…I’m sure the kids will benefit from that.”
“But the amount of traffic, bro, for the people that live on Great Highway, it’s gonna be insane, dude, it’s gonna be insane.”
Those who live by Ocean Beach fear that the closure will increase traffic inland among residential areas, making it more dangerous for pedestrians. Independent experts consulted by the San Francisco Public Press have generally validated the traffic and public transportation concerns by opponents of the measure.
However, supporters point to how the southern section of the highway is already slated for closure by early 2026 due to coastal erosion. Thus, they assert, its current function as a road is already falling apart.
Aliana Urdanetas-Rodas ’25, who was eligible to vote in the election, said, “I..have a lot of friends that live in that area that commute to San Francisco for work and realized that this would be detrimental to their lifestyle as many people living in that area commute out of the area through the Great Highway.”
Opponents also point out the lack of funding in Prop K, arguing that proponents have no practical financial plan for actually creating a park. However, the Yes on K campaign website argues that this is deliberate, claiming that funds for designing the park will come later.
Canales said, “It’s just one of the things where I wish there was a compromise instead of a straight up shutdown.”
