37 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
View submission: Improving walkability cost me an election
SF was the same. After part of I 305 collapsed, the mayor chose to tear the entire interstate down rather than rebuild.
Chinatown was against it, claiming they needed the off ramps to survive.
People claimed it would destroy the city.
Without the interstate it will be a traffic nightmare.
City elected officials nearly all voted out.
Once torn down, and began being built out: Chinatown increased in business. Walking paths and bike use increased. Previous "unusable " under interstate space was now being filled with new business. Ferry use and access improced (no longer walking under dark interstates). New street car lines and business lanes improved access from the light rail and subway stations. The traffic nightmare didn't materialize. Tourism increased.
Overall, it transformed the east end. A major success. But, yes, until results were seen, people did not want it at all. Everyone wanted a faster horse, not a new car.
https://www.soulofamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SF-Embarcadero_Ferry_Plaza.jpg
https://imgur.com/san-francisco-before-after-embarcadero-highway-came-down-k76qWFO
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fzass_wLGCU/sddefault.jpg
Comment by kingofmymachine at 11/11/2024 at 18:27 UTC
19 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Yes, and proposition K passing last week is causing people to lose their minds.
