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Central Subway Construction Update 11/21/14

November 22 - December 8, 2014

This update covers the next two weeks. Our next update will be on Friday, Dec. 5. Happy Thanksgiving from the Central Subway team!

During the next 17 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 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): Construction crews are relocating and installing new utilities along 4th Street from Harrison to King streets.

  • At the intersection of 4th and Harrison streets, work on a high pressure water line continues.
    • Two traffic lanes will remain open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      • On 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets, one traffic lane will be available until Nov. 26.
    • Access to Interstate 80 freeway may be limited on some evenings from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and during weekends.
  • On 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets, construction of the portal continues.
    • Tentative closure of 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets on Nov. 29 between midnight and 6 a.m.
    • Closure of 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets starting Dec.1 through end of February 2015.

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Construction crews are building walls and replacing a water line along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets.

Union Square: Construction crews are converting portions of Stockton Street between Ellis Street and Geary Boulevard into a holiday plaza called "Winter Walk SF."

Chinatown: Construction crews are building station walls and installing new utilities on Stockton Street between Sacramento and Washington streets.

North Beach: Construction crews are restoring the retrieval shaft site.

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 at 4th and Bryant streets where an AT&T vault will be installed. Utilities are being relocated and installed along 4th Street in preparation for the extension of the T Third Line.

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. Underground operations are based here.

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 Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Access to Interstate 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:
    • One traffic lane will be available until Nov. 26.
    • Tentative closure on Nov. 29 between midnight and 6 a.m.
    • Full closure starting Dec.1 until late February 2015.
      • Perry and Stillman streets between 3rd and 4th streets to be converted temporarily to two-way alleys.
      • Perry and Stillman streets accessible from 3rd Street.
      • Parking on the south side of Stillman Street will be impacted.
    • The sidewalk on the west side of the block will remain closed.

Ongoing construction (Bryant to King):

  • AT&T duct bank and vault installation on 4th Street between Bryant and Bluxome streets.
  • 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):

  • Muni service impact: The bus stop on Bryant Street at 4th Street has been relocated to the mid-block of Bryant Street between 4th and 5th streets until Nov. 25.
  • 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.

A worker sweeps a portion of the roadway as construction continues on building underground walls for 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. The construction of underground station walls and replacement of a water line 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 continues.

Ongoing construction (Howard to Folsom):

  • Construction of station walls.
  • Replacement of water line at 4th and Folsom streets.

Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Howard to Folsom):

  • One lane of traffic will remain open on 4th Street from Howard to Folsom streets.
    • One additional traffic lane is anticipated to be restored by late November.
  • Street closure of Clementina Street at 4th Street.
  • The sidewalk along 4th Street between Clementina and Folsom streets is closed.
  • Lane reductions at intersection of Folsom and 4th streets during water line work.

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.


Green turf has been installed on Stockton Street in preparation for "Winter Walk SF." Decorative lighting and illuminated benches are also being installed for the holiday plaza. 

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. Stockton Street between Ellis Street and Geary Boulevard is closed to vehicular traffic. Work crews are transforming this area into a festive holiday plaza.

On Ellis Street between Stockton and Powell streets, crews continue with pile installation to construct station walls.

Ongoing construction (Ellis to Post):

  • Site restoration on Stockton Street between Ellis Street and Geary Boulevard.
  • Hours are 6 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Saturday, Sunday work may be required.
    • Sunday work on Nov. 23 is anticipated.

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

  • Stockton Street between Ellis Street and Geary Boulevard is closed to vehicular traffic.
    • From Nov. 28 to Jan.1 this area will be converted into a pedestrian friendly holiday plaza called "Winter Walk SF."
  • Muni service impact: The bus stop on Geary Boulevard at Stockton Street is anticipated to reopen in late November.

Ongoing construction (Ellis Street):

  • Pile installation to construct station walls.

Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (Ellis Street):

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


A crane is used to hoist rebar from one area to another. Rebar is metal reinforcement that will strengthen the walls for the future Chinatown Station.

Chinatown

Stockton Street from Sacramento Street to Washington Street

  At 933-949 Stockton Street, construction of Chinatown Station is underway.
  Ongoing construction (Sacramento to Washington):

  • Construction of station walls.
    • 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.


Cross passages are openings between the two tunnels which provide access and ventilation. Four out of the five of these connectors have been built.

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 the end of this year.

On Columbus Avenue between Union and Filbert streets, street lighting will be completed by the end of 2014.

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.

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

The bus stop on Bryant Street at 4th Street has been relocated to the mid-block of Bryant Street between 4th and 5th streets until Nov. 25.

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.