A tire tax would incentivize people to drive on worn tires longer.

Not exactly the same set up, but "the Engines of God" by Jack McDevitt is a great example of that idea of future archaeologists trying to decipher an ancient message.

While the Embarcadero freeway was only damaged, resulting in its demolition, the Cypress st viaduct in West Oakland did collapse in the 1989 quake.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypress_Street_Viaduct

I guess that is one way to get new housing built in SF.