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Central Subway Construction Update 6/24/16

Thank you for your interest in the Central Subway Project, which is a significant project in the history of San Francisco's public transportation network. This project is the first underground line to link the north and south corridors of the city, and will provide a direct connection to major retail, sporting and cultural venues while efficiently transporting people to jobs, educational opportunities and other amenities throughout San Francisco.

This is an exciting time as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's | Central Subway team works to construct a vital transportation link that, when open in 2019, will improve connectivity for the city. Rainbow flags for Pride weekend flow in the breeze behind a work side at Stockton and O'Farrell, where a utility duct is being reinforced prior to excavation below. Central Subway | Project Advancement

June 24, 2016 - July 3, 2016

This notice provides a construction update and a look ahead for what to expect in the areas where we are building four new stations along the alignment. You’ll find information about work activities, traffic and transportation impacts taking place over the next two weeks at SoMa, Yerba Buena|Moscone, Union Square and Chinatown.

Construction schedules, bus routes, and stop locations are subject to change due to unforeseen conditions. Signs will be posted at affected stops to advise of service changes.

Our thanks go out to the businesses, residents, shoppers, commuters, and all those who are touched by the Project, for their continued engagement as we work to extend the city's public transportation system.

The Central Subway Team

A large sewer main and sewer force main are being installed on the east side of 4th north of Brannan. Surface Station, Trackwork and Systems Work along 4th Street between Bryant Street and King Street includes construction of a surface station between Bryant Street and Brannan Street. The construction team is upgrading utilities and trackwork on 4th Street between the tunnel portal at Bryant Street and the connection with the existing light rail system at King Street.

Utilities installation continues along 4th Street between Bryant to Townsend.  Night work to install a high pressure water line at the intersection of 4th Street and Townsend Street continues.  The tunnel concrete invert is being constructed.  Hours of construction are 7p.m. to 5a.m. Workers assess excavation efforts near Freelon. Lateral utilities are uncovered prior to trenching operations near Freelon. Overview

  • Installation of Muni manhole and duct bank
  • Utility installation
  • Installation of AWSS
  • High pressure water line installation
  • Installation of 36" and 48" sewer lines
  • Relocation of communication lines

Details

What: Installation of Muni manhole, duct bank, utility installation
Time: 7a.m.- 4p.m.
When: Monday to Friday
Where: Townsend Street between 4th Street and 5th Street

What: Installation of AWSS
Time: 7a.m.- 4p.m.
When: Monday to Friday
Where: 4th Street between King Street and Townsend Street and 4th Street, Townsend Street intersection

What:  High pressure water line installation (night work)
Time:  7p.m - 5a.m.
When: Monday to Friday
Where: 4th Street and Townsend Street

What: Installation of 36" and 48" sewer lines
Time:  7a.m. - 4p.m.
When: Monday to Friday
Where: 4th Street between Bryant Street and Townsend Street (east side)

What: Relocation of communications lines
Time: 7p.m - 5a.m.
When: Monday to Friday
Where: 4th Street and Townsend Street intersection What to expect

  • Work may involve saw-cutting, potholing and jack-hammering on the roadway and sidewalk
  • Sidewalk access may be limited
  • Access will remain open for pedestrians and businesses 
  • Parking and Traffic Impact
    • Parking will be unavailable in the work area on both sides of 4th Street
    • Two lanes of traffic open on the west side of 4th Street
    • Traffic impacts are in effect 24 hours a day
  • Muni Impact
    • 4th Street and Townsend Street northwest corner: 30 Stockton and 45 Union|Stockton bus stop relocated 100 feet west of 4th Street and Townsend Street
    • 4th Street and Townsend Street northwest corner: 47 Van Ness and 83X Mid-Market Express bus stop relocated 100 feet west

With the completion of the mezzanine level floor slab inside the station box, large openings are revealed which will eventually open up to the platform level below. Yerba Buena | Moscone Station

4th Street from Howard to Folsom

Work along 4th Street between Howard Street and Folsom Street consists of construction of the underground Yerba Buena | Moscone Station. The cut and cover method known as a "top-down" or "bottom-up" approach involves construction of a box frame structure within a trench excavation that is subsequently backfilled.

Excavation of the Yerba Buena/Moscone Station underneath 4th Street between Folsom and Clementina continues.  The installation of a sewer force main is ongoing. The current traffic configuration from north of the station to Howard Street will remain.  Excavation and temporary support strut installation continue below concourse level.

A worker cuts steel brackets for temporary bracing inside the station box. Workers have broken through the slurry wall into the lowest level of the station box. Overview

  • Excavation
  • Water line replacement and sewer installation

Details

What: Excavation
Time:  7a.m - 7p.m.
When: Monday to Friday
Where: 4th Street between Howard Street and Folsom Street

What: Water line replacement and sewer installation
Time:  7a.m.- 4p.m.
When: Monday to Friday
Where: 4th Street between Howard Street and Folsom Street What to expect

  • Clementina Street is closed at 4th Street
  • The sidewalk on the west side of 4th Street is closed
  • Parking and Traffic Impact
    • Two lanes of traffic open on 4th Street

Concrete forms and rebar are being installed inside the southeast corner of the Union Square Garage. Union Square | Market Street Station

Work continues along Stockton Street between Ellis Street and Post Street. The construction of an underground Union Square|Market Street Station uses the cut and cover method known as a "top-down" or "bottom-up" approach and involves construction of a box frame structure within a trench excavation that is subsequently backfilled.

Jet-grouting work is completed and compensation grouting continues. Current activities include excavation for roof-deck on O’Farrell Street and restoration of sidewalk between Maiden Lane and Geary.  Night utility work on Geary, which is scheduled to start next week, may change traffic configuration.

Sparks fly as a worker smooths edges of steel brackets inside the north concourse. An excavator fitted with a jackhammer removes excess concrete from north concourse walls. Overview

  • Roof deck installation
  • Concrete installation
  • Rebar installation
  • Utility relocation and support
  • Excavation at the north concourse
  • Partial demolition and restoration of Union Square Garage
  • Compensation grouting
  • Partial street and sidewalk restoration at the northeast corner of Geary Street and Stockton Street

Details

What: Roof deck and concrete installation, rebar installation, utility work, excavation, and partial demolition of Union Square Garage
Time: 7a.m.- 11p.m.
When: Monday to Saturday
Where: Ellis Street to Post Street

What: Compensation grouting
Time: 6a.m - 4p.m. (Monday to Friday) and 6a.m - 2p.m. (Saturday)
When: Monday to Saturday
Where: Geary Street to O'Farrell Street

What: Restoration of the southeast corner of the Union Square Garage
Time: 6a.m - 4p.m. (Monday to Friday) and 6a.m - 2p.m. (Saturday)
When: Monday to Saturday
Where: Geary Street and Stockton Street

What: Partial street and sidewalk restoration at the northeast corner of Geary Street and Stockton Street
Time: 6a.m - 4p.m. (Monday to Friday) and 6a.m - 2p.m. (Saturday)
When: Monday to Saturday
Where: Geary Street and Stockton Street

*For all activities, construction hours may be 24 hours a day, Monday to Saturday, Sunday work may be required What to expect

  • Local deliveries may access Maiden Lane from Post Street
  • Sidewalk access may be limited at times
  • Parking and Traffic Impact
    • Stockton Street between Ellis Street and Post Street is closed to vehicular traffic
    • One traffic lane open on O'Farrell through Stockton Street

With the two "side drifts" of the main entrance archway for the station cavern fully excavated, work now shifts to excavating the "center drift" of the archway. Chinatown Station The construction of an underground Chinatown Station uses the sequential excavation method (SEM) along Washington Street and Stockton Street. The SEM provides a high degree of flexibility during construction and makes it possible to control virtually all kinds of ground conditions, thereby greatly reducing the risks of construction. This method of tunnel construction is used worldwide for small to large openings in a variety of ground types ranging from rock to soil.

Sprayed concrete (shotcrete) and other supporting elements are applied and installed promptly after exposing ground, which provides a safe and stable opening.

Current activities include utility relocation, excavation of the headhouse, construction of the north access (emergency exit) shaft and construction of the Cross Cut Cavern. A large steel bucket is lowered into the north access shaft for hauling out excavated soil. An excavator fitted with a grinding wheel waits aside a bulldozer inside the headhouse. Overview

  • Excavation of station site
  • North access (emergency exit) shaft

Details

What: Excavation of station site
Time: 24 hours
When: Monday to Saturday
Where: Stockton Street and Washington Street

What: North access (emergency exit) shaft
Time: 7a.m.- 5p.m.
When: Monday to Friday
Where: Stockton Street, Washington Street to Jackson Street What to expect

  • Sidewalk access may be limited at times
  • Parking and Traffic Impact
    • No parking on both sides of Stockton Street between Washington Street and Jackson Street
    • One lane of traffic on both sides of Stockton Street between Washington Street and Jackson Street
    • Washington Street:
      • remains closed between Stockton Street and Trenton Street
      • is converted into a two-way street between Powell Street and the construction zone

Connecting People. Connecting Communities.

Contact Us: If you have questions about construction or the Central Subway Project you can email us at central.subway@sfmta.com or call us at 415-701-4371.

For More Information: The Central Subway team posts frequent project updates on a variety of social media outlets. To find out more about the project and construction progress, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Flickr and check out our blog.

Construction schedules are subject to change.