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.

The tunnel through the island that connects the two “halves” of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge — opening as part of the bridge in 1936 and known unofficially as “Yerba Buena Tunnel” — fulfills 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!