For the Chinatown Station landmark artwork, artist Ming Fay developed a proposal of a large colorful glass mosaic that draws inspiration from the evergreen pine forests of California and the Gold Mountains in the Bay Area. Yu Mei Hou’s landmark design proposal incorporates traditional Chinese paper cut art based on traditional Chinese folk tales, and May Sun’s proposal consists of a large wall artwork incorporating both archival and current photographs of Chinatown, with insets in the adjacent floor area. For the wayfinding artwork, Carl Cheng’s proposal will take transit riders on a walk through an underground Chinese garden. Using architectural glass elements, Tomie Arai will create a site-specific visual narrative about the history of the area surrounding the subway station. As riders move through the different layers of the station, they will be able to experience this narrative in much the same way as an archeologist might sift through layers of history to uncover the past. Yunfei Ji’s wayfinding proposal is based on the Chinese hand scroll that will weave its way through the station telling the story of Chinese-American’s participation in the building of America. Lastly, Faye Zhang proposes a series of mosaics on several level that reference moving water, as passengers move through the station.

At the Union Square/Market Street Station the candidates for the landmark artwork include Brian Goggin whose design consists of a glittering canopy of metal and glass inspired by the sand dunes that once were in the Union Square location. Ilya and Emilia Kabakov’s landmark proposal children gazing down at a hidden world located somewhere below the floor. The final candidate for the Union Square/Market Street Station landmark artwork is Erwin Redl. Inspired by the famous Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” Redl proposes a ceiling grid of hanging 10” x 10” “light pixels” with shifting colors in a diamond shape pattern. For the wayfinding artwork, Michael Davis and Susan Schwartzenberg’s proposal includes overhead lighting with imagery of large-scale historic gatherings in Union Square and a series of artifacts imbedded in the walls that reveal little known historical stories from the downtown area. Keith Godard’s proposes floor mosaics depicting historic bird’s eye views of Union Square beginning in 1776 and continuing to the present day. The artist team Jim Campbell and Werner Klotz propose to create an undulating three-dimensional ribbon that spans the length of two station levels.

For the Moscone Station landmark artwork Brian Tolle’s proposal draws a parallel between the ebb and flow of passengers in the train stations and San Francisco’s famous fog. Using state of the art technologies, he will create molded panels that depict single moments of a surface seemingly in motion. Joyce Hsu’s landmark proposal combines concepts based on San Francisco’s estuarine system as a bird refuge with mankind’s drive to look towards the sky for better mobility. Her design presents commuters with a flock of jet-packed flying devices with bird-like wings against a backdrop of a dreamlike sky. Catherine Wagner’s design incorporates large photographs she took in the late 70s documenting the construction of Moscone Center. For the wayfinding artwork, Tom Otterness has proposed a series of humorous sculptural vignettes featuring his signature bronze characters as transit riders place throughout the station. Mildred Howard’s wayfinding artwork proposal consists of laminated glass panels featuring archival images that appear and disappear as passengers walk past them and that are intended to take transit-users on a journey through time. Michele Oka Doner is proposing a multi-level series of floor insets, elevator designs, and sculptural elements that reference sunlight and other natural phenomena.

We hope to see you at the public art viewing!

Exhibition Locations and Operating Hours:

Central Subway Public Art Program Manager Judy Moran will be available to answer questions from the public at a Q & A session at each of the three proposal display sites, see below for more details.

Chinatown Station
Chinese Cultural Center
750 Kearny Street
Operating hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Q&A with Project Manager Judy Moran: Saturday, July 10 from noon to 2 p.m. on the Pedestrian Bridge that crosses Kearny Street from Portsmouth Square to the Chinese Culture Center in the Hilton Hotel.

Union Square/Market Street Station
Weinstein Gallery
291 Geary Street, 2nd Floor
Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Q&A with Project Manager Judy Moran, Monday, July 12 from noon to 2 p.m.

Moscone Station
Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission Street
Operating hours: Monday-Tuesday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesday, closed; Thursday, 1-8 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Q&A with Project Manager Judy Moran: Tuesday, July 13 from noon – 2 p.m.

Synergy contractors working hard on site at Clementina location.

The Central Subway Project received great news this week! The project has been awarded $27 million in tunnel component funds from the California Transportation Commission (CTC).  These funds are awarded for the Central Subway’s future connection to the California High Speed Rail that is currently in planning.  The route of the High Speed Rail is to begin in Los Angeles with its Northern Terminus to be in San Francisco at the Transbay Terminal that is slated to begin construction in August 2010.  The Central Subway connection to the High Speed Rail will be at the prospective Brannan Street Station located at Fourth Street and Brannan, along the Central Subway alignment.  These funds will help with construction costs for the tunnel portion of the project and will also decrease the amount needed from local funding sources.

The following in italics is cited from the Muni proposal to the CTC:

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni) is proposing to program:

• The tunnel component ($27 million) of its Central Subway light rail line that starts at the Caltrain (PCJPB) depot and goes north to Chinatown.  The Central Subway will be the first major north-south rail connection to the east-west BART/Muni subway at Market.

Muni is proposing to extend the connectivity of its system with the existing BART system, Caltrain system and the proposed high-speed system.  The connectivity should increase ridership and reduce travel times, similar to the benefits that would occur with the Los Angeles’ Regional Connector.  The tunnel component will permit Muni to begin the tunneling.

Commission staff recommends that the project be programmed.

Chairs and Commissioners, May 10, 2010

The Central Subway Project continues to press forward with growing support and progress. This awarding of funds is seen as a great accomplishment and is an affirmation of the Central Subway’s importance to the future of transit growth in the City of San Francisco.

*Correction: The transfer stations for the high-speed rail will be at the Fourth and King Stations. The Brannan Station will be the last surface station before the tunnel on the Central Subway phase.

Here’s the anticipated drilling schedule throughout the month of May:

• May 03-04, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and Geary (in front of Neiman Marcus) at night.
• May 05-06, 2010: Drilling will be on 4th Street between Howard and Folsom (driveway) at night.
• May 10-11, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and Clay in Chinatown during the day.
• May 12-14 & 17, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and O’Farrell (in front of Macy’s) during the day.
• May 18-19, 2010: Drilling will be on 4th Street and Folsom on Folsom during the day.
• May 20-21, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and Market (in front of Virgin) during the day.
• May 22-23, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and Washington (near the school yard) during the day.

Here are some facts that you should be aware of:

• Daytime working hours are between 7am-6pm. Evening working hours are from 9pm-5am.
• Parking spaces will be temporarily closed as needed during drilling
• Drilling will be performed using a truck-mounted drill rig, which will remain on the boring location for the duration of drilling
• Please expect a minor increase in noise as a result of drilling

For further information or questions regarding the drilling, please contact Brajah Norris at 415.701.5263.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause to you and are grateful for your understanding and cooperation during this work.

This re-route is required due to ongoing utilities relocation and underpinning work at 401 Fourth Street to shore up the foundation.

Underpinning Building at 401 4th Street

The 30 Stockton and 45 Union/Stockton are being re-routed, while the street is not being closed to regular traffic. All buses will still go to the same terminus at Caltrain via a right turn at Harrison Street followed by a left on Fifth Street and another left on Townsend.

Construction schedule from April 21 through late May from SFMTA’s website:

• Bus routes: 30, 45
• Area: SoMa
• Dates: April 21 through late May, 2010
• Time: All hours of service

Due to construction, Muni will reroute.

We’ll keep you updated when we receive more information. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Thank you for your patience and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

30 Stockton and 45 Union/Stockton route change map

This year the FTA is working with eighteen transit projects similar to Central Subway. All of them have unique challenges and local issues, but all are following the same funding approval as the  Central Subway Project.

Here is a quick summary to look over and compare the Central Subway Project with other transit projects:

• San Francisco is one of two U.S. Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects entering final design with a Medium-High rating – the Project has achieved and held this rating for three consecutive years – see spreadsheet in column B, Overall Project Rating.
• If we include those ahead of the Central Subway now waiting for the FFGA, the Central Subway is one of three out of ten LRT/Bus Rapid Transit projects to achieve a Medium-High rating. Every project in the U.S. that has achieved a series of Medium-High ratings has received a commitment from the federal government for FTA funding.
• Like the Central Subway, all of the projects are new, major urban connectors mostly involving significant tunneling, bridges, electrification, new vehicles, and exclusive Guideway – see spreadsheet “Projects” column, Seattle, University Link Minneapolis Central Corridor, in bold type.
• San Francisco’s total capital costs are below the average of the $1.8 billion project costs for the six projects entering Final Design – see spreadsheet column D.
• At the same time, the $942 million dollar federal Total New Starts Funding is the highest percentage for all six projects waiting for the FFGA. The amount is well above the average of $710 million – this is due in part to recognition of the Phase 1 local funding – see spreadsheet column E.
• The President’s budget proposes (see spreadsheet last column H) annual allocations that approach the Project’s expected allocations for the Central Subway after the FFGA.
• The President’s budget proposes the allocation of the full amount requested for the Central Subway in 2011 – the amount that the Project cash flow requires next year.

Transit Project that FTA Recommended for FFGAs in its 2011 Annual Report to Congress

Source: FTA 2010 Annual New Starts Report to Congress, FY 2011 Funding for New Starts and Small Starts Projects

The table below shows the eighteen projects.

New Starts Funding Table

]]> http://www.centralsubwayblog.com/blog/2010/03/fta-on-u-s-transit-project-approvals/feed/ 0 http://www.centralsubwayblog.com/blog/2010/03/utility-relocation-on-the-move%e2%80%a6/ http://www.centralsubwayblog.com/blog/2010/03/utility-relocation-on-the-move%e2%80%a6/#comments Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:15:27 +0000 CentralSubway http://www.centralsubwayblog.com/blog/?p=595 Synergy Project Management began the installation of sewer line and manholes along Clementina between Fourth and Fifth streets.

Traffic is being re-routed while sewer work is being performed on Clementina Street.  Clementina Street will be closed during the actual work period, Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

A detour sign has been posted at Clementina and Fifth streets with a message that indicates “ACCESS CLEMENTINA STREET THROUGH TEHAMA STREET.”

Clementina Street is closed

Here are some facts that you should be aware of:

• On March 17-April 16, work  will be on Clementina from Fifth Street to Gallagher Lane.
• On April 16-May 14, work will continue on Clementina from Gallagher to Fourth Street.
• Tehama Street and Gallagher Lane will temporarily be converted to two-way streets with temporary portable delineators.
• The one-way street sign is covered temporarily to avoid conflict with the detour traffic signs on Tehama Street.
• Emergency access through Clementina will be available at all times.
• Parking spaces will be temporarily closed as needed during construction. Please see construction signs for exact location and times.
• Please expect an increase in noise, dust and traffic as a result of construction.

schedule may change due to unforeseen conditions found during excavation

Utility Relocation on Clementina and Fifth streets

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding!

The work crews are very appreciative of the public’s cooperation and patience during the utilities relocation process.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contract us.

Here are some great photos!

Restaurants are open during construction on 4^th Street between Brannan to Howard streets:

Chavo's

Chavo’s-Mexican Restaurant
595 4^th Street

Fringale-French
570 4^th Street
Hours:
Sunday -Thursday 5:30p.m. – 10:00p.m.
Tuesday-Friday 11:30a.m. – 2:30p.m.
Friday-Saturday 5:30p.m. – 11:00p.m.

Hotel Utah Saloon-Bar, American (Traditional)
500 4^th Street
Hours:
Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Saturday-Sunday. 2:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Jollibee-Filipino Fast Food
200 4^th Street

Orson

Orson–American (New)
508 4^th Street
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday-Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Peet’s Coffee
570 4^th Street

Red Ribbon -Bakery
200 4^th Street

Zuppa–Italian & Pizza
564 4^th Street
Hours:
Monday-Friday 11:30a.m. – 2:30p.m.
Monday-Thursday 5:3 p.m. – 10:00p.m.
Friday-Saturday 5:30p.m. – 11:00p.m.
Sunday 5:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.

Other Businesses Open during Construction

A-Z Market

A-Z Market–Liquor Store
220 4^th Street

Jaronlogo.com
425 4th Street

Olivet University–Education Institution
250 4^th Street

Pacific Cycle–Bicycle Warehouse
345 4^th Street
Hours:
Monday-Friday 10:00a.m. – 7:00p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 10:00a.m. – 6:00p.m.

Sherwin William
320 4^th Street
Hours:
Monday-Friday 6:00a.m. – 5:30p.m.
Saturday 8:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Sunday 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.

Speedway Digital Printing
475 Fourth Street
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods–Grocery, Health Market
399 4^th Street
Hours:
Monday-Sunday. 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Please let us know if we miss your business!

Drilling Notice near 4th and Harrison St.

]]> http://www.centralsubwayblog.com/blog/2010/03/drilling-notice-march-10-15-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.centralsubwayblog.com/blog/2010/03/supplemental-geotechnical-schedule/ http://www.centralsubwayblog.com/blog/2010/03/supplemental-geotechnical-schedule/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:00:28 +0000 CentralSubway http://www.centralsubwayblog.com/blog/?p=469 The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and PB/Telamon with Treadwell & Rollo has begun drilling operations for supplemental geotechnical investigations; the purpose of which are to provide critical geotechnical and hydro-geologic information needed for final design and pre-construction of the proposed subway tunnel and associated structures.

Here’s the anticipated drilling schedule throughout the month of March:

Drilling on Nob Hill

• March 08-09, 2010: Drilling will be in Chinatown on Stockton Street and Pacific Avenue
• March 24-25, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and Clay streets
• March 10-13, 2010: Launch Box area on Fourth Street between Harrison and Perry streets
• March 12-13, 2010: Drilling will be on Fourth and Jessie streets
• March 13-14, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and Washington streets
• March 15-17, 2010: Drilling will be on Fourth Street between Howard and Folsom streets
• March 18-23, 2010: Evening drilling will be on Stockton Street between Geary and Market streets
• March 24-25, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and Clay streets

Here are some facts that you should be aware of:

• Work will be performed during regular weekday working hours between 7am-6pm
• Parking spaces will be temporarily closed as needed during drilling
• Drilling will be performed using a truck-mounted drill rig, which will remain on the boring location for the duration of drilling
• Please expect a minor increase in noise as a result of drilling

Utility Relocation

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) granted the Central Subway approval to enter into Final Design (FD) on January 7, 2010. This approval was a major accomplishment for the Project and gives SFMTA pre-award authority to incur costs for upcoming FD activities, demolition and other non construction activities. The next step for the Central Subway Project is to secure Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA). The FFGA is a multi-year, contractual agreement that is made between FTA and SFMTA. The FFGA provides the funds that are utilized for construction of the Project.  When this agreement is made, the SFMTA formally establishes the maximum level of federal financial assistance and the terms and conditions of federal participation. This commitment to the FFGA requires the SFMTA to deliver the contracted project on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with all applicable federal requirements.

Please be assured that the Central Subway project is and will continue to be under significant financial scrutiny each year and we must submit a report to be evaluated under the Federal New Starts Review program.  Under this program all aspects of the project are analyzed by the FTA including the benefit-to-cost ratios, ridership, technical approach and financial capacity. As you can imagine, the process of acquiring federal funding for a transportation project of this scale is rigorous.

All New Starts funds allocated for this project cannot be redirected to other transportation projects or operations. The New Starts financial assistance only applies to the Central Subway Project due to the submittal of the New Starts report and the project is subject to the availability of appropriated funds and our continued performance under the terms and conditions of the FFGA. If funding is redirected to other operations within SFMTA, all the secured federal funding will be gone.

The SFMTA continues to work with local, state and regional partners to secure non-federal funding to work toward a Full Funding Grant Agreement with the Federal Transit Administration.

The Central Subway will extend light rail service with a surface stop on 4^th Street near Brannan Street and subway service with stations at the Moscone Center, Union Square and Chinatown neighborhoods.  It will operate as an extension of the T Third light rail line which opened for full revenue service in April 2007.  The two-phase Third Street Light Rail Project will unite the City’s established civic, business, retail and cultural centers with the diverse communities along the light rail line and encourage economic revitalization along the entire corridor.