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Central Subway Construction Update 5/13/16

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. After demolishing a portion of this wall, the former southeast corner of the Union Square Garage is connected to the north concourse Central Subway | Project Advancement

May 13, 2016 - May 23, 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

Workers upgrade utilities at 4th Street and Bryant Street 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.

Current activities include utility relocation, Muni manhole, duct bank, water line work by the San Francisco Water Department, auxiliary water supply system (AWSS) and sewer structure modification work. Night work to install a high pressure water line at the intersection of 4th Street and Townsend Street continues through Tuesday, May 31. Hours of construction are 7p.m. to 5a.m. 

  Utility work is performed on the east side of 4th Street, north of Townsend Street.
  Overhead catenary system pole foundations are being installed on 4th Street from Bryant Street to Townsend Street 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

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 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

Workers grade soil inside the station box to prepare for mezzanine floor construction 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 is ongoing in the station box, mezzanine and headhouse. Utility work is being performed on the east side of 4th Street.Traffic shifted on 4th Street between Howard Street and Folsom Street. Two lanes of traffic are open in the center of 4th Street.

Workers build rebar cages for the mezzanine level floor Workers install a high-pressure water line at 4th Street and Howard Street 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 in the center of 4th Street

Work to restore the sidewalk and curb between Maiden Lane and Geary Street is underway 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.

Current activities include roof deck installation, demolition of the southeast corner of the Union Square Garage, compensation and jet grouting, and utility relocation. The sidewalk and street pavement of the northeast corner of Geary Street and Stockton Street is being restored.

A drill rig is used for soil improvement work inside the station box Soil improvement work is also underway on Stockton Street between O'Farrell Street and Ellis Steet 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
  • Jet 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: Jet grouting
Time: 6a.m - 4p.m. (Monday to Friday) and 6a.m.- 2p.m. (Saturday)
When: Monday to Saturday
Where: Geary Street to Ellis 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 at Stockton Street and O'Farrell Street

 As excavation continues in the headhouse, temporary steel supports are installed 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 immediately after exposure, followed by installation of additional steel and shotcrete support elements until a safe stable opening is created will be used.

Current activities include utility relocation, excavation of the headhouse, north access (emergency exit) shaft construction and Cross Cut Cavern. Banners highlighting local merchants have been installed along the north access shaft construction fence Excavation of the headhouse continues.   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.