Central Subway Blog

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!

Synergy’s work on utilities relocation is moving along. The installation of sewer and low pressure water lines, excavation for joint trench and dry utility vaults are ongoing at various locations. Phoenix Electric (subcontractor) has begun laying conduits for the joint trenches along various locations within the route. The coring through the Moscone Center wall has been completed and preparations for the plumbing work inside of the Center will be starting soon. Trifecta, a subcontractor of AT&T, has begun installation of their vaults along various locations within the route. Stay tuned for more updates.

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!

The Central Subway Project will begin drilling operations for supplemental geotechnical investigations in your neighborhood. From March 10-15, 2010, drilling will be on Fourth and Harrison streets. We sincerely apologies for any inconvenience  this may cause you. Please review this flyer for more information regarding construction work hours and duration of this project. If you have any questions or concerns, please contract us. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Drilling Notice near 4th and Harrison St.

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

With the February utility relocation for the future Moscone Station and Portal Tunnel groundbreaking for the Central Subway Project and the significant economic challenges across the U.S., there has been new interest and questions regarding the funding and progress of this project. Along with many other major cities, the Central Subway is for the improvement of light rail service and overall quality of life. We have heard questions that ask, “How can San Francisco do this project?” It is often assumed that the design and construction costs are competing or using the scarce funds from SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) daily transit service. We want to respond to this misunderstanding and to provide background information on the funding basis of the Central Subway Project.

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.

Here’s the contractor who’s working on the utility relocation contract for the future Moscone Station and  Portal Tunnel on Fourth Street between Howard to Bryant Streets. Utility relocation work will be performed from January 2010 to approximately June 2011.

Synergy Project Management, Inc. (SPM), a local San Francisco business with years of experience in construction and engineering began utility relocation in mid January 2010.  SPM has been performing public works contracts for the City and County of San Francisco for many years and is looking forward to the opportunity of being part of this amazing subway project.  SPM has a track record of completing projects ahead of schedule and is committed to completing this project ahead of schedule, on budget, with quality that not only meet, but exceed expectations. Scope of this contract includes relocation of utilities to allow for construction of future tunnel and stations.

Synergy Project Management, Inc.

Rain was in the forecast but the sun was shining for our groundbreaking event on Tuesday, February 9, 2010.  This was the first exciting step for the project as we broke ground underneath the I-80 Freeway to signify the start of utility relocation work for the future Moscone Station and Tunnel Portal.  SFMTA Executive Director/CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. served as master of ceremony and was joined by Mayor Gavin Newsom and numerous elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the beginning of construction on the Central Subway.  We were thrilled to have great speakers and supporters attend the event!  We have posted photos below and you can also watch the entire groundbreaking ceremony on Mayor Newsom’s YouTube channel.

Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., SFMTA Executive Director/CEO

Mayor Gavin Newsom

Left to right: Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., SFMTA Board of Directors Chairman Tom Nolan, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi

John Funghi, SFMTA Central Subway Senior Program Manager

Underneath the I-80 Freeway

Shovels

Photos Courtesy of: Anders Ryerson and Teddy Marasigan

A special thanks to our speakers!

• Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., SFMTA Executive Director/CEO
• Mayor Gavin Newsom
• President David Chiu, Board of Supervisors
• Chairman Ross Mirkarimi, San Francisco County Transportation Authority
• Dan Bernal, District Director, United States Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
• Tom Nolan, Chairman, SFMTA Board of Directors
• Jose Luis Moscovich,  Executive Director, San Francisco County Transportation Authority
• Carolyn Diamond, Director, Market Street Association & Central Subway Community Advisory Group Member
• Gordon Chin, Executive Director, Chinatown Community Development Center
• Hoi Chong Wong, President, Community Tenants Association
• John Funghi, Senior Program Manager, SFMTA Central Subway Project

Join us tomorrow for the Central Subway groundbreaking event!

This is a major milestone for the project as we begin utility relocation for the future Moscone Station and Tunnel Portal.  The event will take place on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 on Fourth Street underneath the I-80 Freeway (see more details below). Hope to see you there.

On January 7, 2010, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) granted the Central Subway approval to enter into Final Design.  This FTA endorsement marks a crucial
milestone for the Central Subway project.  Approval to enter into Final Design means that for every dollar the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) spends on Final Design for the Central Subway Project, the SFMTA will be reimbursed with federal funds.  The project recently received $6 million as part of the federal Fiscal Year 2010 transportation appropriations bill.

Fourth and King Station

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 FTA in Fiscal Year 2011.

The project is negotiating and awarding design contracts for the tunnel, stations and systems work, and this month utility relocation work is beginning near the tunnel portal and the future Moscone Station in the South of Market neighborhood.

Read the press release from Mayor Newsom and SFMTA about this exciting news!

We hope 2009 treated you well!  As we look back on the Central Subway project a lot has happened in 2009, and we hope to bring you more exciting news in 2010. Here are some milestones achieved this year!

Presenting to Yerba Buena Alliance in Nov.

• Received a positive overall medium-high rating in the “New Starts” report.
• Awarded $9.9 million in additional funding by the FTA for advanced preliminary engineering and design work.
• Advertised three Final Design Request for Proposal packages and SFMTA Board awarded two Final Design Contract.
• Revamped the Central Subway website and launched the social media program.
• Advertised and awarded Moscone Station and Tunnel Portal Utility Relocation contract.

We want to thank all of our supporters including our followers and fans on Twitter and Facebook! We look forward to 2010 when we begin the Utility Relocation for the future Moscone Station and Portal Tunnel.  Stay tuned!

Happy Holidays and have a safe New Year!