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Central Subway Construction Update 12/19/14

Project Advancements

December 20, 2014 - January 2, 2015

During the next 14 days, Central Subway work continues at sites in SoMa, Union Square, Chinatown and North Beach. This section contains brief updates about recent construction activities and a look-ahead for what to expect in each neighborhood. For more detailed information, scroll down or click on the links below. You can also find construction, traffic detour, and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.

Construction work on Stockton Street in Union Square has paused for the holiday season. Work within the station sites, underground work, and night work continues. See your neighborhood section below for details.

Construction schedules may change due to unforeseen conditions. We encourage the public to follow traffic and pedestrian notifications posted at the work sites.

Southern SoMa (Harrison to King): Ongoing utilities along 4th Street from Harrison to King streets.

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Continuing excavation of the station along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets.

  • Closure of the sidewalk at 4th and Clementina streets will continue. Access Clementina Street from 5th Street.

Union Square: Construction has paused on Stockton and Ellis streets, resuming in January.

Chinatown: Construction crews will be demobilizing equipment and will begin to excavate the site in preparation of the station roof. Ongoing utility installation on Stockton and Washington streets.

North Beach: Restoration of the retrieval shaft site is ongoing.

We thank the businesses, residents, shoppers, and commuters of San Francisco for their continued engagement with this significant investment in the extension of our public transportation system. When opened in 2019, the Central Subway will provide a much-needed connection between major employment, retail, cultural and residential areas of the city.

The Central Subway Team
Workers excavate an area for utility at 4th and Brannan streets.
  Southern SoMa

4th Street from Harrison Street to King Street

On 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets, the contractor constructed a major excavation known as a launch box at the site where the two Central Subway tunnels begin. This site is being converted to a portal.

On 4th Street between Bryant and King streets, relocation and installation of utilities continues.

Ongoing construction (Harrison to Bryant):

  • High pressure waterline installation at intersection of 4th and Harrison streets.
  • Portal construction.

Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Harrison to Bryant):

  • At the intersection of 4th and Harrison streets:
    • Two traffic lanes will remain open on Harrison Street, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Access to I-80 freeway may be limited on some evenings from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and during weekends.
    • Parking may be impacted in the vicinity of the construction area.
  • On 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets:
    • Full closure until late February 2015.
      • Perry and Stillman streets between 3rd and 4th streets are temporarily converted to two-way alleys.
      • Perry and Stillman streets accessible from 3rd Street.
      • Parking on the south side of Stillman Street is impacted Monday to Friday, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and on weekends.
    • Sidewalk access on the east side of the block may be limited. The contractor will maintain a safe path of travel.
    • The sidewalk on the west side of the block will remain closed.

Ongoing construction (Bryant to King):

  • Sewer line installation on 4th Street between Brannan and Welsh streets.
  • Work may involve saw-cutting and jack-hammering in the roadway and sidewalk. Expect an increase in noise.
  • Work hours are Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Bryant to King):

  • During work hours, two traffic lanes will remain open on 4th Street from Bryant to Brannan streets.
  • Parking may be impacted in the vicinity of the construction zone.
  • Sidewalk access may be limited. The contractor will maintain a safe path of travel.
  • The contractor will maintain access to businesses during business hours.


At 4th and Clementina streets, workers use an excavator to dig out a portion of the future Yerba Buena/Moscone Station.
  Northern SoMa

4th Street from Market Street to Harrison Street

  On 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets, work to construct the Yerba Buena/Moscone Station continues. Excavation of the site is ongoing. Night work continues from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday through Friday.

On 4th Street between Folsom and Harrison streets, work on replacement of a sewer line to be completed by early January.

Ongoing construction (Howard to Folsom):

  • Excavation of the site.

Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Howard to Folsom):

  • Two lanes of traffic are open on 4th Street from Howard to Folsom streets.
  • Street closure of Clementina Street at 4th Street.
  • The sidewalk along 4th Street between Clementina and Folsom streets is closed.

Ongoing construction (Folsom to Harrison):

  • Replacement of a sewer line.
    • Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Folsom to Harrison):

  • Two traffic lanes will remain open on 4th Street between Folsom and Harrison streets during sewer line work.
  • Access to the I-80 freeway may be reduced to one lane during sewer line work.
  • Parking may be impacted in the vicinity of the construction zone.


"Winter Walk SF"  provides an open space through January 1 for shoppers and visitors from near and far to enjoy the unique Union Square retail experience.
  Union Square

Stockton Street from Ellis Street to Post Street

On Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets, the contractor is building the Union Square/Market Street Station. Work at this location is on pause until Jan. 2.

Ongoing construction (Ellis to Post):

  • No work planned.

Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (Ellis to Post): 

  • Muni service impact: The bus stop on Geary Boulevard at Stockton Street is closed until Jan. 2, 2015.

Ongoing construction (Ellis Street):

  • No work planned.

Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (Ellis Street):

  • Ellis Street between Stockton and Powell streets is temporarily closed to westbound traffic heading toward Powell Street.


An operator excavate the slurry walls at the Chinatown site.
  Chinatown

Stockton Street from Sacramento Street to Washington Street

  At 933-949 Stockton Street, construction of Chinatown Station is underway. Excavation of the site in preparation of the station roof will soon begin.
  Ongoing construction (Sacramento to Washington):

  • Slurry walls equipment will be demobilized.
  • Construction of station walls is anticipated to be completed before the New Year.
    • Construction hours are Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Replacement of a high pressure water line and installation of a fire hydrant on Washington Street between Stockton and Spofford streets.
    • Construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Rebar delivery between the hours of 4 and 6 a.m.

Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (Sacramento to Washington):

  • Washington Street:
    • Remains closed between Stockton and Trenton streets.
    • Between Powell Street and the construction zone is converted into a two-way street.
    • Between Stockton and Spofford streets, parking may be limited during construction hours.


Crews work to restore the site by early January.

  North Beach

Powell Street from Union Street to Filbert Street

At 1731-1741 Powell, restoration of the site continues.The work at this location is expected to be completed by early January 2015.

On Columbus Avenue between Union and Filbert streets, street lighting will be completed by mid-January 2015.

Ongoing construction (1731-1741 Powell):

  • Restoration of the site.
  • Contractor may work up to 2 a.m., Monday to Friday with occasional weekend work.

Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (1731-1741 Powell):

  • Several parking spaces may be unavailable in front of the construction area.

Connecting People. Connecting Communities.

Muni Service Impacts: The bus stop for the 38 Geary Route on Geary Boulevard at Stockton Street is temporarily closed until Jan. 2, 2015. Board bus on Geary Boulevard at Powell Street.

Contact Us: If you have questions about construction or the Central Subway Project you can reach us at central.subway@sfmta.com or by phone 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, Instagram or Flickr, and check out our blog.

Construction schedules are subject to change.