Details about construction, special events and transportation projects impacting transportation in Chinatown are below.
Chinatown Construction
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Portsmouth Square Construction
Summary
As part of the Portsmouth Square project, the demolition of the Kearny Street pedestrian bridge will require the closure of Kearny Street between Clay and Washington Streets in August 2026. The work will involve both full and partial street closures to accommodate demolition activities and ensure public safety. These temporary traffic modifications are necessary to support the safe and efficient demolition of the pedestrian bridge.Kearny Street Full Closure
Kearny Street will be fully closed over two weekends, 1:00 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2026 to 5:00 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2026 and 1:00 a.m. August 8, 2026 to 5:00 a.m., August 10, 2026. During these full closures, traffic will be redirected using designated detour routes. The Portsmouth Square Garage will also be closed. Local access will be maintained for businesses on the east side of Kearney between Clay and Merchant streets.Traffic Detour
- Detour 1: Northbound traffic on Kearny Street will be routed westbound on Sacramento Street → to northbound on Stockton Street → to eastbound on Jackson Street → to northbound Kearny Street.
- Detour 2: Northbound traffic on Kearny Street → to eastbound on Clay Street → to northbound on Sansome Street → to westbound on Washington Street →to northbound Kearny Street.
Kearny Street Full Closure - Traffic Detour Plan
Transit Reroute
- Muni route 8 Bayshore will follow the second detour route during the full closure periods. The 8AX and 8BX do not operate on weekends, and will not require rerouting.
- The stop on Kearny Street north of Clay Street will be unavailable. Riders will be directed to use the temporary stop on Clay Street at Montgomery (shared with the 1 California), or Kearny Street just south of Jackson Street, which is about one block north of the missed stop.
- Signs will be posted at affected stops and inside buses plus on-board announcements.
Kearny Street Full Closure – 8 Bayshore Reroute Plan
Kearny Street Partial Closure
There will be a partial closure on July 30-31 and August 3-7, 2026. During this time, at least two lanes will be open. The Portsmouth Square garage will be open. In addition, periodic lane closures on Kearny Street for short periods may be necessary to complete demolition work.
While Kearny Street will remain open during the partial closure, motorists are encouraged to use the designated detour routes as alternate travel routes to avoid congestion. Muni service will continue operating on Kearny Street during the partial closure period with no reroutes. However, during the July 30-31 and August 3–7, 2026 weekday closure, the Muni stop on the east side of Kearny Street just north of Clay Street will be relocated to Kearny St at Commercial, nearside, southeast corner as a temporary stop. Muni customers can also access the regular Kearny St at Jackson St stop.
Kearny Street Partial Closure – 8/8AX/8BX Bayshore Stop Changes
Traffic Mitigations
To support safe and efficient travel for drivers, transit riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists, the project will employ the following mitigation measures.
- Changeable message signs directing drivers to navigate around the road closure or to use the alternative routes:
- Kearny Street, northwest corner at Post Street
- Kearny Street, northwest corner at California Street
- Clay Street, northeast corner at Waverly Place
- Permanent variable message signs alerting drivers outside of the neighborhood about street closures.
- Signage near and around the construction site identifying alternative paths for pedestrian, bike and vehicle travel.
- Traffic control officers will help manage traffic impacts during the weekends and workweek.
- Construction flaggers.
- Temporary pavement markings.
- Other traffic control devices, as needed.
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Chinatown Public Health Center Construction
July 2026 - Fall 2027: Broadway Tunnel closures
Broadway Tunnel is tentatively scheduled to be fully closed from 7 a.m., Saturday, August 15, through 5 a.m., Monday, August 17, 2026, then one traffic direction at a time will be closed for approximately 7 months each, with one lane in each direction in the open bore.
Local detour routes during the full tunnel closure
- Eastbound: Broadway to northbound Larkin Street, eastbound Union Street and southbound Powell Street, returning to Broadway; or Broadway to southbound Larkin Street, eastbound Pacific Avenue and northbound Powell Street, returning to Broadway.
- Westbound: Broadway to northbound Powell or Mason streets, westbound Union Street and southbound Larkin Street, returning to Broadway; or Broadway to southbound Powell Street, westbound Pacific Avenue and northbound Larkin Street, returning to Broadway.
Broadway Tunnel Full Closure - Traffic Detour Plan
Local detour routes during the partial tunnel closure
Following full closure, the project will transition into an approximately seven-and-a-half-month closure of the south (eastbound) tunnel bore. During this phase, the north (westbound) bore will remain open and will be reconfigured from two westbound lanes to one lane in each direction. Afterward, the north (westbound) bore will close for approximately seven months, and the south bore will be converted to one lane in each direction.
Broadway Tunnel Partial Closure – Traffic Alternative Routing Plan
- Chinatown Library Construction
Summer 2026-August 2028: Traffic Control Plan – forthcoming. - Sign Up for Newsletter Updates
Major Special Events Affecting Chinatown
- Chinatown Night Markets
Second Fridays of every month though October 2026
Chinatown Transportation Projects
Parking Availability
The Portsmouth Square Garage will be closed August 1 - 2 and August 8 - 9. It will remain open from Monday to Friday during the demolition of the Kearny Street pedestrian bridge.
During closure, monthly parkers please park at:
St. Mary’s Square Garage
433 Kearny Street
- Pull a ticket upon entry
- Please have your access card ready for verification when you're ready to leave.
- Visit the garage office on the 4th floor for ticket validation