Central Subway Newsletter for Winter 2015/2016

Full Speed Ahead

A message from SFMTA Director of Transportation Edward D. Reiskin

2015 was a very exciting year for the Central Subway project as we made tremendous advancement in construction; in fact the project is now more than 50 percent complete.

I am also excited to share that the Central Subway recently received two prestigious awards: the American Society of Civil Engineers San Francisco Branch 2015 Award for Transportation of the Year, and 2015 Best Projects by Engineering News-Record. Congratulations to the Central Subway Team!

I specifically acknowledge John Funghi, Program Director, the Central Subway team and our contractor Tutor Perini Corporation for bringing this project to life to enhance our public transportation network.

Construction is now moving along the entire alignment; from track and tunnel work at the surface station at 4th and King in South of Market (SoMa) to the excavation of the underground stations in Yerba Buena, Union Square and Chinatown. We now have a new track configuration at the intersection of 4th and King streets, primed for the T Third Line to travel up 4th Street through the SoMa neighborhood. Work toward the completion of station excavation is progressing, with the goal of achieving this milestone by the end of this year. When open for revenue service in 2019, the extension of the T Third Line will enable customers to travel north and south to prime destinations such as SoMa, Union Square and Chinatown.

To find out more about Central Subway construction, sign up for our weekly construction updates by visiting: http://eepurl.com/oOs-b Work to upgrade the track configuration at 4th and King went through the week of Veteran’s Day. This was the second and larger phase of work for the new interchange.

New Track Configuration at 4th and King

The Surface, Tracks and Systems (STS) team reached a major milestone this year, completing a new track interchange at the 4th and King intersection. The new interchange is the first piece of track in place for the Central Subway Project, which will eventually allow for T Third Line trains to run up 4th Street.

This vital construction work was completed in two phases, starting with Labor Day weekend in September and finishing during the week of Veterans Day in November. The work included track, infrastructure and signal priority upgrades to accommodate the future Central Subway alignment towards Chinatown, making transit safer and more reliable.

Some of the work included re-routing drivers and pedestrians around the 4th and King intersection, temporarily converting the entire length of the T Third light rail line to buses between Embarcadero Station and Visitacion Valley and creating a temporary platform for light rail vehicles on the N Line at 3rd and King.

Traffic control officers and community ambassadors were in place directing pedestrians and motorists at key intersections. The success of these shutdowns could not have occurred if it were not for coordination across the City with Supervisor Kim’s office, the SF Fire Department, AT&T Park, SFMTA and the Central Subway outreach team.

The Central Subway outreach team worked closely with the SFMTA communications team to ensure the public was well informed and provided with regular updates. The team coordinated radio spots, a press conference, worked with google maps to re-route people around the area, and hosted community meetings to inform local businesses and residents.  

The Central Subway Team is grateful for the support and patience of the public as we work to create a better transit system. Workers laid down the new rails on a reinforced concrete rail bed before making final adjustments. Two workers set up a welding kit where grounding wires are attached to the new track interchange. New tracks crossing the intersection at 4th and King will allow T Line trains to travel up and down 4th Street along the new alignment being constructed. Community ambassadors and members of the Central Subway outreach team aided commuters with wayfinding.

Looking Back on the 2015 Winter Walk

Holiday shoppers, tourists, and locals all enjoy the festive lighting, green turf, and illuminated benches.

The Central Subway construction area on Stockton looked very different over the holiday moratorium, a time when work crews in shopping districts take a break from around-the-clock construction.

The second annual Winter Walk, a Union Square Business Improvement District (BID) production, provided an open space for shoppers and visitors in the heart of Downtown to relax and enjoy a Union Square-area holiday transformation.

Two blocks of the work zone were converted into a pedestrian-friendly green plaza with synthetic turf, illuminated benches and festive lamp posts. From November 27 through January 1, the popular Winter Walk featured light shows, San Francisco-centric live performances such as Velocity Circus, food trucks from Off the Grid, and a variety of attractions set in the pop-up plaza along Stockton Street between Geary and Ellis.

On January 4, the Central Subway team resumed constructing a modern, efficient light-rail line that will improve public transportation in San Francisco. Heavy construction along the alignment, which features stops in the South of Market area, Yerba Buena, Union Square and Chinatown began in 2012. With more than 50% of the work done, and two tunnels for the trains completed, the project is now focused on building stations and installing track and signal equipment.

Union Square BID Executive Director Karin Flood Speaks at the opening ceremony.