Central Subway Blog

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.

There have been changes to the drilling schedule!  Please read the following notice and the dates in red are the new scheduled days for drilling.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and PB/Telamon with Treadwell & Rollo will continue 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 May:

• May 13-14, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and Clay in Chinatown during the day.
• May 17-20, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and O’Farrell (in front of Macy’s) during the day.
• May 26-27, 2010: Drilling will be on 4th Street and Folsom on Folsom during the day.
• May 24-25, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and Market (in front of Virgin) during the day.
• May 15-16, 2010: Drilling will be on Stockton and Washington (near the school yard) during the day.

Updated as of May 10, 2010.

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.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and PB/Telamon with Treadwell & Rollo will continue 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 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.

For those of you who haven’t heard about the re-routing on the 30 Stockton and 45 Union/Stockton, here’s an update!

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

We thought you would like to see how transit projects in other cities are doing and where the Central Subway Project fits in!

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

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