Name It the Emperor Norton Tunnel

In all three of his “bridge Proclamations” of 1872, Emperor Norton specified that a bridge connecting Oakland and San Francisco be routed “via Goat Island” — what we know today as Yerba Buena Island.

Today, the tunnel through this island connects the east and west “halves” of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. Opening as part of the bridge in 1936, the never officially named “Yerba Buena Tunnel” is the key that unlocks the Emperor’s vision.

2026 will mark the 90th anniversary of both the tunnel and the bridge. This affords a wonderful opportunity for the California state legislature to finally place the Emperor’s name on his bridge with a simple, elegant gesture:

Name Yerba Buena Tunnel the Emperor Norton Tunnel.

The Emperor Norton Trust urges state lawmakers to accomplish this worthy and achievable goal in 2026. Please join us!