Central Subway Blog

This section contains brief updates about recent construction activities and a look-ahead for what to expect in Southern SoMa, Northern SoMa, Union Square, Chinatown and North Beach over the next two weeks. For more detailed information, scroll down or click on the links below. You can also find construction, traffic detour, and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.

Construction schedules may change due to unforeseen conditions. We encourage the public to follow traffic and pedestrian notifications posted at the work sites.

Southern SoMa (Harrison to King): Utility work along 4th Street from Harrison to King streets. Portal construction on 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets.

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Excavation and construction of station roof along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets. Ongoing ground improvement activities at 4th and Jessie streets.

Union Square: Excavation of the station, relocation and supporting of utilities and pile installation on Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets.

• Beginning Feb. 13, one travel lane will be available on O’Farrell Street at Stockton Street

Chinatown: Excavation of the site in preparation for the installation of the station roof. Fire hydrant work on Washington Street between Stockton and Spofford streets is completed.

North Beach: Work in front of 1731-1741 Powell Street (retrieval shaft) is anticipated to finish by the end of the month. Hours of work are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. A lane of traffic will be available on Powell Street.

• Sidewalk restoration is slated for completion by the week of Feb. 16
• Street light installation may start the week of Feb. 16

We thank the businesses, residents, shoppers, and commuters of San Francisco for their continued engagement with this significant investment in the extension of our public transportation system. When opened in 2019, the Central Subway will provide a much-needed connection between major employment, retail, cultural and residential areas of the city.

Our recent time-lapse video highlights the break-through and removal of the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) at the retrieval shaft and gives a closer look at how work advanced at that site.

The video shows TBM Mom Chung breaking into the water-filled retrieval shaft last June. The water is drained from the shaft for the arrival of TBM Big Alma. The departure of the machines comes next as workers remove both TBMs, piece by piece, over several months. The retrieval shaft site was restored and vacated in January 2015.

A metal cover was installed as the final step in restoring the site.

For more information about the project and construction progress, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and check out our project website.

A worker motions to the concrete truck to move the overhead hose.

This post contains brief updates about recent construction activities and a look-ahead for what to expect in Southern SoMa, Northern SoMa, Union Square, Chinatown and North Beach over the next two weeks. For more detailed information, click here or on the links below. You can also find construction, traffic detour, and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.

Construction schedules may change due to unforeseen conditions. We encourage the public to follow traffic and pedestrian notifications posted at the work sites.

Southern SoMa (Harrison to King): Utility work along 4th Street from Harrison to King streets. Portal construction on 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets.

• Partial lane on 4th Street between Harrison and Perry streets has reopened to bus traffic only
• Sewer work continues on 4th Street between Brannan and Townsend streets

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Excavation of the station along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets. Ground improvement activities at 4th and Jessie streets.

Union Square: Excavation of the station, relocation and supporting of utilities and pile installation on Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets.

• Anticipated lane reduction on O’Farrell Street at Stockton Street for pile installation starting Feb. 7 for one week

Chinatown: Excavation of the site in preparation for the installation of the station roof. Fire hydrant work has finished on Washington Street between Stockton and Spofford streets.

North Beach: Work in front of 1731-1741 Powell Street (retrieval shaft) is anticipated to finish by the end of the month. Hours of work are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. A lane of traffic will be available on Powell Street.

• Relocation of a fire hydrant to be completed the week of Feb. 9
• Anticipated sidewalk restoration the week of Feb. 16
• Anticipated street light installation completion the week of Feb. 16

We thank the businesses, residents, shoppers, and commuters of San Francisco for their continued engagement with this significant investment in the extension of our public transportation system. When opened in 2019, the Central Subway will provide a much-needed connection between major employment, retail, cultural and residential areas of the city.

An excavator demolishes the upper portion of a wall. This site is
being converted into a portal structure.

This post contains brief updates about recent construction activities and a look-ahead for what to expect in Southern SoMa, Northern SoMa, Union Square and Chinatown over the next two weeks. For more detailed information, click here or on the links below. You can also find construction, traffic detour, and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.

Construction schedules may change due to unforeseen conditions. We encourage the public to follow traffic and pedestrian notifications posted at the work sites.

Southern SoMa (Harrison to King): Utility work along 4th Street from Harrison to King streets. Portal construction on 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets.

• Starting Feb. 2, partial lane on 4th Street between Harrison and Perry streets will reopen to bus traffic only
• Tentative sewer work may begin the week of Feb. 9 on 4th Street between Brannan and Townsend streets
• Utility work continues on 4th Street between Brannan and Bluxome streets
• Pile installation continues on 4th Street between Welsh and Brannan streets

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Excavation of the station along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets. Ground improvement activites at 4th and Jessie streets.

Union Square: Excavation of the station, relocation and supporting of utilities and pile installation on Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets.

Chinatown: Excavation of the site in preparation for the installation of the station roof. Ongoing utility installation at Stockton and Washington streets.

We thank the businesses, residents, shoppers, and commuters of San Francisco for their continued engagement with this significant investment in the extension of our public transportation system. When opened in 2019, the Central Subway will provide a much-needed connection between major employment, retail, cultural and residential areas of the city.

Workers pour concrete for the portal under 4th Street.

This post contains brief updates about recent construction activities and a look-ahead for what to expect in Southern SoMa, Northern SoMa, Union Square and Chinatown over the next two weeks. For more detailed information, click here or on the links below. You can also find construction, traffic detour, and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.

Construction schedules may change due to unforeseen conditions. We encourage the public to follow traffic and pedestrian notifications posted at the work sites.

Southern SoMa (Harrison to King): Utility work along 4th Street from Harrison to King streets. Portal construction on 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets.

• Pile installation starting week of Jan. 26 on 4th Street between Welsh and Brannan streets
• Tentative sewer work may begin the week of Feb. 2 on 4th Street between Brannan and Townsend streets

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Excavation of the station along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets. Ground improvement activites at 4th and Jessie streets.

Union Square: Excavation of the station, relocation and supporting of utilities and pile installation on Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets.

Chinatown: Excavation of the site in preparation for the installation of the station roof. Ongoing utility installation at Stockton and Washington streets.

We thank the businesses, residents, shoppers, and commuters of San Francisco for their continued engagement with this significant investment in the extension of our public transportation system. When opened in 2019, the Central Subway will provide a much-needed connection between major employment, retail, cultural and residential areas of the city.

Central Subway work resumes in 2015 at the Union Square/Market Street Station (UMS) and garage on Geary Boulevard and Stockton.

Project staff spell out “2-0-1-5″ to ring in the new year.

The popular Winter Walk rolled up its open space and green carpet on January 1 to allow construction to continue along Stockton Street.

The Winter Walk open space is removed so that construction can resume.

In the New Year: Ellis Street will be partially closed for approximately three months while the Contractor begins excavation of the station and builds the roof top that will connect the current Powell Street Station to the new UMS entrance.

Sheet pile installation along Ellis, at Stockton.

Workers re-install barricades on Stockton Street.

This post contains brief updates about recent construction activities and a look-ahead for what to expect in Southern SoMa, Northern SoMa, Union Square and Chinatown over the next two weeks. For more detailed information, click here or on the links below. You can also find construction, traffic detour, and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.

Construction schedules may change due to unforeseen conditions. We encourage the public to follow traffic and pedestrian notifications posted at the work sites.

Southern SoMa (Harrison to King): Utility work along 4th Street from Harrison to King streets. Portal construction on 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets.

• Tentative pile installation starting week of Jan. 26 on 4th Street between Welsh and Brannan streets

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Excavation of the station along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets. Ground improvement activites at 4th and Jessie streets.

• Two lanes on the east side of 4th Street are open between Market and Mission streets

Union Square: Excavation of the station, relocation of utilities and pile installation on Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets.

• Ellis Street at Stockton Street is closed to vehicular traffic
• Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets is closed to vehicular traffic

Chinatown: Excavation of the site in preparation for the installation of the station roof. Ongoing utility installation at Stockton and Washington streets.

We thank the businesses, residents, shoppers, and commuters of San Francisco for their continued engagement with this significant investment in the extension of our public transportation system. When opened in 2019, the Central Subway will provide a much-needed connection between major employment, retail, cultural and residential areas of the city.

Construction crews dig out the future Yerba Buena/Moscone Station. This station is one of four being constructed for the new alignment of the T Third Line.

This post contains brief updates about recent construction activities and a look-ahead for what to expect in Southern SoMa, Northern SoMa, Union Square, Chinatown and North Beach over the next two weeks. For more detailed information, click here or on the links below. You can also find construction, traffic detour, and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.

Check out our new video which highlights 2014 Central Subway milestones and progress.

Construction schedules may change due to unforeseen conditions. We encourage the public to follow traffic and pedestrian notifications posted at the work sites.

Southern SoMa (Harrison to King): Utility work along 4th Street from Harrison to King streets. Portal construction continues on 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets.

• Tentative pile installation starting week of Jan. 19 on 4th Street between Freelon and Brannan streets
• Sewer work on 4th Street between Freelon and Bluxome streets

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Excavation of the station along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets. Repair of utility lines at 4th and Jessie streets.

• Two lanes on the east side of 4th Street are open between Market and Mission streets

Union Square: Construction has resumed on Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets. Crews are excavating the site and relocating utilities.

• Ellis Street at Stockton Street is closed to vehicular traffic
• Stockton Street between Geary Boulevard and Post Street is closed to vehicular traffic

Chinatown: Construction crews are demobilizing equipment and excavating the site in preparation for the installation of the station roof. Ongoing utility installation at Stockton and Washington streets.

• Night work: removal of heavy equipment is anticipated early morning of Jan. 12 between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.

North Beach: Restoration of the retrieval shaft site is complete. The North Beach section of the weekly update will be phased out next week due to the completion of our work at that site.

We thank the businesses, residents, shoppers, and commuters of San Francisco for their continued engagement with this significant investment in the extension of our public transportation system. When opened in 2019, the Central Subway will provide a much-needed connection between major employment, retail, cultural and residential areas of the city.

Construction resumes on Stockton Street, Monday, Jan. 5.

During the next 10 days, Central Subway construction work continues at sites in SoMa, Union Square, Chinatown and North Beach. This section contains brief updates about recent construction activities and a look-ahead for what to expect in each neighborhood. For more detailed information, scroll down or click on the links below. You can also find construction, traffic detour, and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.

Construction schedules may change due to unforeseen conditions. We encourage the public to follow traffic and pedestrian notifications posted at the work sites.

Southern SoMa (Harrison to King): Utility work along 4th Street from Harrison to King streets.

• Sewer work on 4th Street between Freelon and Bluxome streets.
• Street light conduit work on Townsend Street between 4th and 5th streets.

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Excavation of the station along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets. Repairing utility lines at 4th and Jessie.

• Closure of the sidewalk at 4th and Clementina streets continues. Access Clementina Street from 5th Street.
• Two lanes on the east side are open between Market and Mission.

Union Square: Construction resumes on Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets. Work crews are demobilizing the Winter Walk, which includes installation of barricades, pile installation and excavation.

• Ellis Street between Stockton and Powell streets is anticipated to be partially closed to vehicular traffic starting Jan. 5.
• Closure of Stockton Street between Geary Boulevard and Post Street may begin the week of Jan. 5.

Chinatown: Construction crews are demobilizing equipment and excavating the site in preparation for the station roof. Ongoing utility installation at Stockton and Washington streets.

North Beach: Restoration of the retrieval shaft site is anticipated to be completed during the week of Jan. 5.

We thank the businesses, residents, shoppers, and commuters of San Francisco for their continued engagement with this significant investment in the extension of our public transportation system. When opened in 2019, the Central Subway will provide a much-needed connection between major employment, retail, cultural and residential areas of the city.

Due to the upcoming holidays, this update covers the next two weeks of Central Subway work. There will be no update next Friday, Dec. 26. Happy holidays from the Central Subway team!

Underneath 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant, preparation for the portal work has begun.

During the next 14 days, Central Subway work continues at sites in SoMa, Union Square, Chinatown and North Beach. This section contains brief updates about recent construction activities and a look-ahead for what to expect in each neighborhood. For more detailed information, scroll down or click on the links below. You can also find construction, traffic detour, and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.

Construction work on Stockton Street in Union Square has paused for the holiday season. Work within the station sites, underground work, and night work continues. See your neighborhood section below for details.

Construction schedules may change due to unforeseen conditions. We encourage the public to follow traffic and pedestrian notifications posted at the work sites.

Southern SoMa (Harrison to King): Ongoing utilities along 4th Street from Harrison to King streets.

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Continuing excavation of the station along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets.

• Closure of the sidewalk at 4th and Clementina streets will continue. Access Clementina Street from 5th Street.

Union Square: Construction has paused on Stockton and Ellis streets, resuming in January.

Chinatown: Construction crews will be demobilizing equipment and will begin to excavate the site in preparation of the station roof. Ongoing utility installation on Stockton and Washington streets.

North Beach: Restoration of the retrieval shaft site is ongoing.

We thank the businesses, residents, shoppers, and commuters of San Francisco for their continued engagement with this significant investment in the extension of our public transportation system. When opened in 2019, the Central Subway will provide a much-needed connection between major employment, retail, cultural and residential areas of the city.