Construction Update | November 2-11
Beneath 4th Street, segments of the new subway tunnels are delivered underground. Our first tunnel boring machine, Mom Chung, has now built about 1,400 feet of tunnel.
During the next 10 days, tunneling and tunneling preparatory work will continue in SoMa, Union Square and North Beach. Work to prepare for station construction is continuing in Chinatown and northern SoMa. In southern SoMa, preparatory construction is planned to start the week of Nov. 11 (details below).
This section provides overviews of current and upcoming construction impacts in each neighborhood. For full descriptions, click here or on the links below. We also post construction, traffic detour and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.
Southern SoMa (Harrison to King/Berry):
- New: We plan to begin potholing for utilities the week of November 11, on 4th Street between Bryant and Berry. This involves drilling small holes and trenches in the street to confirm the locations of existing utility lines. Potholing will start on 4th Street between Bryant and Brannan, on the east side of the street. Work hours will usually be Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details are in the Southern SoMa section.
- Continuing: 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant may fully close some evenings and weekends. Two lanes of traffic will remain open at all other times. On Bryant Street at 5th Street, the left lane and several parking spaces will remain closed. One lane of the I-80 off ramp at 4th and Bryant may be closed at night to allow for utility work.
- Upcoming: Starting in 2014, additional construction will begin on 4th Street south of Bryant. Work includes relocation of a sewer line and a storm drain, construction of light-rail tracks and construction of an above-ground train station at 4th and Brannan streets. Impacts will vary during different phases of construction and on different blocks. We will provide more information soon, and in a community meeting on November 7.
Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison):
- New: Starting Monday, November 4, 4th Street between Market and Stevenson will be reduced to two traffic lanes so we can improve the ground as the tunnel boring machines pass below. The work zone will be on the east side of the street, in front of Ross. The temporary taxi stand that was in place in the previous phase of work will be reestablished.
- Continuing: The two right lanes are now closed on 4th Street between Howard and Folsom. South of Clementina, the sidewalk on the west side of the street is closed. To ensure safety, pedestrians should use the sidewalk on the other side of the street and cross the street at 4th and Howard. On 4th Street between Folsom and Harrison, the parking lane and one lane of traffic on the east side of the street will remain closed to allow for ground improvement work.
- Upcoming: After completing preparatory work, we will begin building the Yerba Buena/Moscone Station.
- New: We have completed construction of underground walls on Stockton Street and will be restoring the roadway over the next weeks. We expect to reopen Stockton Street the week of November 11.
- Continuing: Stockton Street between Geary and Ellis will remain closed to vehicle traffic next week. Ellis Street between Stockton and Powell will remain closed to westbound traffic.
- Upcoming: Construction of the Union Square/Market Street Station is starting next year. We will provide more information soon.
- New: Next week, water line work will be in progress in the intersection of Washington and Stockton. Traffic will be routed around the work zone.Tentative: Washington Street between Stockton and Trenton may close to vehicles and pedestrians late next week (details below).
- Continuing: We are demolishing the building at 933-949 Stockton Street and performing utility work on Stockton at Washington. Expect parking impacts around construction zones. One lane of Washington Street will remain closed just west of Stockton Street.
- Upcoming: Washington Street between Stockton and Trenton will close to vehicles and pedestrians during the first phase of Chinatown Station construction. This closure is expected to last approximately one year. This closure is planned to start in November and is tentatively planned for late next week.
- New: In the Bank of America parking lot at 1455 Stockton, crews will begin constructing a shaft 20 feet in diameter and 27 feet deep, for use to improve ground conditions when the TBMs pass beneath Columbus Avenue. This work starts Monday, November 4, and will last for about six months. The parking lot will be closed but the banking drive-thru will remain open. Work hours are Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We do not anticipate impacts to transit, roadways or pedestrian walkways as a result of this work.
- Continuing: At the Pagoda, construction hours will usually be Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., though later work hours (until 7 p.m.) and Saturday work may be required. Parking and walkways may be impacted in front of the Pagoda Palace property.Utility work will continue at and near the intersection of Columbus Ave and Union Street. This work will complete the utility relocation started last year. More details are included in the North Beach section and in this flier.
- Upcoming: The tunnel boring machines arrive in North Beach in spring 2014. After tunneling beneath Columbus Avenue, they will arrive at the old Pagoda Palace site for removal from the area.
We appreciate your patience and support while we build this essential upgrade to San Francisco’s public transportation system.
