In the 1980s , opposition to the Embarcadero Freeway resurfaced in proposals to tear it down ( which was first proposed in 1963 ) . On November 5 , 1985 , the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to tear down the Embarcadero Freeway . The proposal was put to the voters in 1987 and soundly defeated , opposed in particular by influential Chinatown community organizer Rose Pak , who feared that Chinatown would suffer catastrophic consequences if it lost this fast crosstown connection . The October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake significantly damaged the structure , causing it to be closed to traffic . Caltrans planned to retrofit and retain the double-decker freeway . Various groups in and outside the City supported the Caltrans plan , but there was a significant opinion within the City in favor of removing the freeway structure . Then-Mayor Art Agnos proposed demolishing the freeway in favor of a boulevard with an underpass at the Ferry Building to allow for a large plaza
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
California State Route 480