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November 8, 2006

San Francisco: Removal of the Embarcadero Freeway

by Clarence Eckerson, Jr.

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In 1989, a 7.1 earthquake struck the Bay Area which severely damaged many of its elevated highway structures. The Embarcadero Freeway - an ugly, double-decked highway - was replaced with a grand boulevard which emphasizes access to the waterfront and provides people with transportation options like walking, mass transit, and bicycling instead of an emphasis personal vehicle use. In this 12 minute mini-doc, you'll see some of the dramatic changes and how all users benefit when planning takes a pedestrian and people-first attitude.

Just look at these BEFORE and AFTER shots!

Embarcadero 2

Embarcadero 3

Also discussed: Octavia Boulevard which replaced part of the former-Central Freeway.

One Comment

Last comment by NSFW
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    NSFW

    This is really nice. I lived in SF during this period and originally I thought.. How can we get rid of the freeway? Its going to be a disaster. Well, good thing there are people who know what they are doing. The embarcadero has become a great mixed use area. Of course a beautiful setting helps. I just hope more development in Brooklyn takes all of the factors that were used in creation of this area and to some extent the west side hwy.

    February 9, 2008 at 1:37 pm Link # 1