What happens to traffic when you turn a historic highway into a scenic park?

The closure of San Francisco's Upper Great Highway has sparked heated debates and mixed reactions from residents, commuters and local leaders. Thanks to HERE's detailed traffic mapping, we now have an unprecedented view of the true impact.

Since this nearly century-old highway's closure on March 14th, San Francisco's west side has been dealing with profound shifts. Commuters voice frustrations over delays, while nearby residents revel in the serenity of the recent construction of a vibrant seaside park.

New data from HERE Technologies provided readers of the San Francisco Chronicle with a clearer lens to view these changes, showing where traffic has slowed, where speeds have surprisingly increased and the broader ripple effects for the city’s commuters and neighborhoods.

With traffic flows meticulously analyzed, HERE’s data uncovered the nuanced truth behind the park’s implementation.

A view of San Francisco, California using HERE WeGo.

When a section of the Great Highway was closed and converted into a park, traffic was redirected to surrounding streets and boulevards, leading to congestion in new areas.

While drivers face longer commutes and surprising bottlenecks, the idyllic park draws joggers, cyclists and families, sparking a citywide conversation about the future use of San Francisco's public spaces. Does this project bring progress worth celebrating, or are the costs too steep to bear?

To uncover how HERE mapped traffic data to visualize the Upper Great Highway's closure impact, check out the San Francisco Chronicle’s in-depth coverage of this groundbreaking transformation.