Secretary Haaland Highlights Critical Infrastructure Investments During San Francisco Visit

Date: Friday, November 19, 2021
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited several projects and sites within Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, Calif., today, where she highlighted how critical infrastructure investments are helping improve visitor experiences, maintenance operations, and public safety. During the visit with National Park Service staff, Secretary Haaland discussed how funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will make significant investments in the vast infrastructure that sustains our public lands and national parks.

“One of the best investments we can make is in stewarding the lands and waters that sustain us and the generations to come. The Interior Department is making critical investments around the country that will create tens of thousands of jobs, safeguard the environment, and help ensure that national parks and public lands are ready to meet the challenges of climate change and increased visitation,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a huge driver of San Francisco’s economy, and we are committed to making much-needed investments to conserve, protect, and support these special places while economically empowering local businesses and communities.”

During the visit, Secretary Haaland toured two projects that are slated for Great American Outdoors Act investments, the landmark conservation law that creates jobs and invests in much-needed maintenance for critical facilities and infrastructure.

She toured a building in the Presidio of San Francisco National Historic Landmark District that is being rehabilitated in part by $8.8 million in planned GAOA funding to abate hazardous materials, install seismic and structural upgrades, and provide upgraded mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems. Secretary Haaland also toured the Alcatraz Wharf, which plans to receive $36 million in GAOA funding to make critical repairs and seismically strengthen the concrete wharf.

The group also visited other sites receiving significant infrastructure upgrades, including the Golden Gate National Recreation Area headquarters building; the Lower Fort Mason Piers; the East Black Point Gardens; the Presidio Parkway tunnels; and the Alcatraz Embarkation, a new welcome center and ferry landing to provide ferry service to Alcatraz Island.

During the visit, Secretary Haaland discussed how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will also make historic investments in modernizing our nation’s infrastructure. At the Interior Department, the infrastructure law provides for a five-year reauthorization of the Federal Transportation Program, which will help invest in repairing and upgrading National Park Service roads, bridges, trails and transit systems. The law also invests in projects that will help fund bridge replacements and resiliency, repair ferry boats and terminal facilities, and maintain wildlife crossings that keep people and surrounding wildlife safe.

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