The Embarcadero Freeway was not destroyed in the earthquake, although it was damaged. The Cypress Street Viaduct in Oakland collapsed in that earthquake, killin

The Embarcadero Freeway was not destroyed in the earthquake, although it was damaged. The Cypress Street Viaduct in Oakland collapsed in that earthquake, killing and injuring many people. Although the Embarcadero Freeway was never rebuilt and that greatly improved the waterfront, a lot of the traffic it carried was rerouted along the Central Freeway/Van Ness (GGB bound traffic) or SOMA surface streets, and no adequate public transit was built either, so "didn't cause problems" is arguable.