Mayor Lee, public officials, community members celebrate TBM Mom Chung and upcoming start of tunneling
A tour group visits tunnel boring machine Mom Chung beneath busy 4th Street.
Tunnel boring machine Mom Chung is almost assembled and just about ready for launch. This summer, the 350-foot-long, 750-ton tunnel-building behemoth will begin her journey north beneath the streets of San Francisco, constructing the city’s first new subway tunnel in decades.
Last week we celebrated Mom Chung’s upcoming journey with an event at the site where tunneling will begin. After speeches by Mayor Edwin M. Lee, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi’s Chief of Staff Robert Edmonson, Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim and others, guests toured the underground site where Mom Chung is being assembled. They sent her off by signing their names on her cylindrical shield, wishing her a safe and successful voyage beneath SoMa, Union Square, Chinatown and North Beach.
The photos below are of the event, held last Thursday on and below 4th Street. For more photos, visit us on Flickr. To find out more about the event, check out this press release from the SFMTA.
Before the event, the stage was set with safety gear for special guests and honored speakers.
Reporters set up cameras, preparing for the arrival of Mayor Lee and other special guests.
A cheerful Mayor Lee talks about the many benefits of the Central Subway — reducing travel times, connecting San Francisco’s neighborhoods and preparing for the growth expected in the city in coming years and decades.
Supervisors Jane Kim and David Chiu listen to Mayor Lee’s speech. The Central Subway (and Mom Chung) will travel through their districts.
Mayor Lee prepares to cut the cake decorated with TBM Mom Chung. Thanks to Victoria Pastry for creating this delicious treat.
Central Subway Program Director John Funghi leads the first tour of the excavation, known as a launch box, where Mom Chung is being assembled and will begin tunneling.
At the entrance to the launch box, tour goers look with awe upon Mom Chung.
Mayor Lee signs Mom Chung. The TBM will help build “our future San Francisco.”
Others, including Supervisor Chiu, sign their names and messages on the TBM.
Gina Low Weiss, grandniece of Dr. Margaret “Mom” Chung, after whom the TBM is named, signs her name and writes her message on the machine.
This section of Mom Chung, known as the trailing gear, performs a variety of functions, including carrying excavated spoils out of the tunnel and bringing concrete tunnel segments in.
After the tour, participants exited the launch box, returning outside to a warm, sunny day.
