The South Embarcadero Surface Roadway and MUNI Metro Light-Rail Extension Project is the first constructed of several City of San Francisco-managed transit projects that eliminate the need for an elevated waterfront freeway structure envisioned by Caltrans (the State of California Department of Transportation).

Rather than let a superstructure obscure the view of the bay, city officials, citizens, and the Port of San Francisco rallied for over two decades to change the course of transit planning. Since 1973, their cumulative efforts to save the picturesque historical character of the working waterfront that is a source of civic pride-as well as part of a substantial tourist industry-have resulted in a series of roadways and rail line projects that will improve transportation access, preserve views, and create a desirable pedestrian environment.

The August completion of the $27.5 million South Embarcadero project administrated by the city's Waterfront Transportation Projects group for the Port of San Francisco clears the route of traffic detours, opening the renovation area for the first time since the Loma Prieta earthquake devastated more than Bay Area transportation systems on October 17, 1989. Even more happily, this special project begins to restore psychological freedom to local commuters whose access to various districts of San Francisco has been limited by unfinished transportation corridors, whose views of Mission Bay have been obstructed since the 1950's, and whose sense of time and place deserves an interpretive streetscape that enhances the historic relevance of the Embarcadero to the Bay Area.

When the transit facilities are complete, the streetscape designs-including plaza, promenade, and public artwalk, will enhance the waterfront experience, so that the waterfront-not the roadways-dominate. Notably, Landscape Architects in the city's Department of Public Works are preparing the design details and construction documents for paving, light fixtures, street furnishings, and planting for all of the Waterfront Transportation Projects. Sasaki Associates and Roma Design Group, both of San Francisco, consulted on design of open spaces that link the downtown area to the waterfront.

Acorn-style streetlamps and faux cobblestones recall the turn of the century when transit by ferry was the only way to cross over San Francisco Bay from Oakland. Yet, selection of historic features did not overshadow the future serviceability of roadways, infrastructure, or plant materials as design priorities. For instance, linear planting pits for the central median palms designed by Landscape Architect Martha Ketterer protect utilities and implement a concept fostered by James Urban to lengthen the lifespan of street trees.

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The History of the Waterfront Transportation Projects

If the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake had not demolished the existing Embarcadero freeway, the roadway might have been continued across the waterfront to the Bay Bridge as conceptualized by Caltrans, blocking shoreline views. However, after the earthquake downed major freeways in the Bay Area-including the double-decks of the Embarcadero, the City of San Francisco exercised a unique construction funding option to finance their preferred project choice for rebuilding.

Shortly after the earthquake, the Mayor of San Francisco formed Waterfront Transportation Projects, an office to coordinate the administrative, financial and scheduling needs for nine related surface, sub-surface, and rail transit projects that evolved from the substitute plan for I-280. All nine projects will be complete in 1998. Caltrans will still design and manage a project to provide direct access from I-280 to the "new waterfront."