Supervisor Wong Proposes Great Highway Reopening Measure for June Ballot

Newly appointed District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong announced his intention to place a measure on the June ballot aimed at reopening a section of the Great Highway to weekday vehicular traffic. This portion of the roadway, which was converted into a park, has stirred considerable debate since its closure following the approval of Proposition K by voters in November 2024.

Wong, who was appointed by Mayor Daniel Lurie on December 1, 2023, revealed a draft of his proposal but currently lacks the necessary support from three supervisors to qualify for the ballot. He is hopeful that he can secure their backing before the Tuesday filing deadline. Speaking to reporters at City Hall, Wong emphasized that data indicated a rise in traffic incidents and injuries in his district since the closure of the highway.

During the campaign for Proposition K, which closed a section of the Great Highway adjacent to Ocean Beach to facilitate the establishment of Sunset Dunes Park, a citywide majority supported the measure. However, in Wong’s district, a significant 63.7% opposed it, mirroring similar sentiments in Supervisor Connie Chan’s District 1, where 63.9% of voters rejected the proposal.

Wong believes that new data regarding traffic safety will resonate with voters across the city. “The voters of San Francisco have great reason to consider this measure given the new information that we have since the closure of the Great Highway,” he stated. He pointed out that the closure has led to approximately 14,000 commuters rerouting through neighborhood streets.

To illustrate his point, Wong presented maps showing a nearly two-fold increase in traffic injuries in his district, from 37 incidents in 2024 to 67 in 2025 during the same months. “Closing the road doesn’t mean that the traffic disappears,” he remarked, adding that the impacts have been felt by families and commuters alike.

Despite Wong’s assertions, his proposal has faced immediate criticism from park advocates. Lucas Lux, president of the Friends of Sunset Dunes, expressed concerns about the potential reintroduction of vehicles to the park. “Supervisor Wong was unable to explain even the most basic details about his proposal at a town hall last night,” Lux said. He accused Wong of misrepresenting data to support what he termed a “political stunt.”

The Great Highway was initially closed in April 2020 to provide recreational space and promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it reopened to weekday traffic in August 2021, it has remained closed on weekends. Wong, who voted against Proposition K, stated that after consulting with constituents, he supports allowing weekday traffic once again.

Support for Wong’s proposal came from Vin Budhai, founder of the advocacy group LivableSF, who spoke at the press conference. He argued that the closure has worsened traffic conditions in surrounding neighborhoods and has negatively impacted commute times.

In March 2025, some residents and LivableSF members filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of Proposition K, but a judge recently ruled against them. They plan to appeal, according to their attorney, Jim Sutton. Among the plaintiffs is Albert Chow, who previously organized the recall effort against former Supervisor Joel Engardio, a supporter of Proposition K. Chow noted, “I’m amazed it took Alan Wong so long to figure out that reopening the Great Highway was the right thing to do.”

As Wong moves forward with his proposal, the upcoming June ballot could serve as a pivotal moment for the future of the Great Highway and its impact on community traffic dynamics.