The long-term plan to prepare the Great Highway for climate change

Closures of the Great Highway are common due to the accumulation of wind-blown sand on the two-mile stretch north of Sloat Boulevard, known as the Upper Great Highway.

This situation has worsened in recent years due to climate change. Further complicating matters are the limits placed on when work can be done. Ocean Beach is home to the Western Snowy Plover, a small shorebird on the endangered species list.

Southbound lanes of Great Highway between Sloat Boulevard and Lincoln Way will remain closed to vehicles during construction. People walking and biking are encouraged to use the northbound lanes while crews are at work, weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Great Highway span south of Sloat Boulevard has the opposite problem…too little sand. Erosion has eaten away at the road and threatened a water treatment plant. In response, the city designed the Ocean Beach Climate Adaptation Plan.

It includes the removal of the southern section of the highway, the construction of a buried dike to protect a recycled water facility and a wastewater treatment plant, and the construction of a multi-use public trail offering an elevated view on the ocean.

Traffic on the Great Highway will be rerouted between Sloat Boulevard and Skyline Drive during construction of the South Ocean Beach Plan. Work is expected to begin at the end of 20-25.