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Central Subway Construction Update 6/3/16

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. Light streams through an access portal in the roof of the Union Square/Market Street Station while excavation continues near O'Farrell. Central Subway | Project Advancement

June 3, 2016 - June 12, 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 reinforcing and upgrading utilities on 4th south 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 King.  Tunnel concrete invert is being constructed.  Night work to install a high pressure water line at the intersection of 4th Street and Townsend Street continues through Tuesday, June 11. Hours of construction are 7p.m. to 5a.m.

  New utilities are being installed north of Brannan on the east side of 4th. A crew installs signage at the intersection of 4th and Townsend. 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

A welder cuts apart brackets reinforcing temporary beams inside the station box. 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 started. The current traffic configuration from north of the station to Howard Street will remain.  Excavation and temporary support strut installation continue below concourse level.

With construction of the mezzanine level floor slab complete, excavation of the platform level has begun. Large steel beams are seen being installed inside the headhouse to temporarily reinforce the outer walls. 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

An excavator fitted with a jackhammer aids excavation efforts while an associate keeps dust down by spraying water. 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. Current activities include back-filling of the roof deck on Stockton Street just south of O’Farrell Street.  Traffic configuration is slated to switch over to the south side of O’Farrell Street the week of June 13th.  This will allow for work on the north side of the intersection.

A new section of roof slab has been constructed on the south side of O'Farrell and Stockton. Tie-backs line a wall at the southeast corner of the Union Square Garage, where the future north station entrance will be constructed. 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

Excavation of the north access shaft between Washington and Jackson is underway. 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. Newly-installed ventilation fans and ductwork can be seen on the east side of the Chinatown Station site. A supervisor and safety officer take air samples to maintain a safe work environment. Steel mesh is installed to reinforce the walls inside the small caverns recently excavated. 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.