"It's something that hasn't been possible since technically everything under or around the freeways is the state's jurisdiction. "The first thing and the last thing people see are our on ramps and off ramps and I want those spaces to reflect the beauty of San Francisco and now we are going to be able to do that," said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. Mayor Lurie signed the agreement with Caltrans that he says will help city departments tackle both the behavioral health and homelessness crisis."
""It allows us to go out every single day and clear debris, clear encampments and make sure that those that are struggling with addiction and mental health issues get into the right kind of beds, and that is what we've been talking about since day one," said Mayor Lurie. Historically, San Francisco hasn't been able to address this issue under freeways because it's state property. That changes now."
San Francisco gained authority to clear and maintain areas under and around state freeways through a delegated maintenance agreement with Caltrans. City Public Works can now remove debris and disband homeless encampments at targeted on- and off-ramps. Daily operations will include public notifications, debris removal, and referrals to behavioral health and addiction treatment beds for people in need. The agreement covers eight high-visibility locations near major entry and exit points to the city. Caltrans and the city frame the effort as shared responsibility and mutual accountability to address public health, safety, and the homelessness crisis along freeway corridors.
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
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