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Central Subway Construction Update 5/15/15

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Central Subway
Project Advancements

May 16 - May 25, 2015


This section 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, 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 (Bryant to King): Utility work continues along 4th Street from Bryant to King streets.

  • Muni manhole installations between 4th and 5th streets on Freelon Street and on 4th Street between Bryant and Welsh streets
    • On Monday, May 18, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., at intersection of 4th and Bryant streets, traffic control officers will direct traffic during street light work

Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Excavation and construction of the station roof deck along 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets is underway.

  • Roof installation work on the east side of 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets is ongoing
    • One traffic lane is available on 4th Street

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

  • Geary Boulevard at Stockton Street may be narrowed to one traffic lane from May 19 to May 21 during night work hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Chinatown: Excavation of the site and installation of the roof deck are in progress.

  • On Stockton Street between Washington and Jackson streets, PG&E duct bank installation with work hours of Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Dewatering wells may start the week of May 18 on Washington Street at Stockton Street with work hours of Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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.

The Central Subway Team Workers install a vault on Brannan Street between 4th and 5th streets.Workers install a vault on Brannan Street between 4th and 5th streets. Southern SoMa

4th Street from Bryant Street to King Street

On 4th Street between Bryant and King streets, relocation and installation of utilities continues.

Ongoing construction (Bryant to King):

  • Muni manhole installations between 4th and 5th streets on Freelon Street and on 4th Street between Bryant and Welsh streets
  • Muni duct bank installation on 4th Street between Welsh and Freelon streets
  • Utility work on 4th Street between Brannan and King streets
  • Sidewalk restoration work at 4th and Bryant streets
  • Work hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Work may involve saw-cutting, potholing and jack-hammering in the roadway and sidewalk

Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Bryant to King):

  • On Monday, May 18, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., at intersection of 4th and Bryant streets, traffic control officers will direct traffic during street light work
  • Parking will be unavailable in work area
  • Muni Service Impact:
    • The bus stop for the 47 Van Ness and 83X Mid-Market Express on 4th Street at Townsend Street has been relocated to Townsend Street between 4th and 5th streets
  • Two lanes on 4th Street between Bryant and King streets are available for traffic
  • Sidewalk access may be limited
  • The contractor will maintain a safe path of travel as well as access to businesses during business hours

Roof deck installation has moved to the east side of 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets.Roof deck installation has moved to the east side of 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets.
Northern SoMa

4th Street from Market Street to Harrison Street

On 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets, work to construct the Yerba Buena/Moscone Station continues. Excavation of the site is ongoing.

Ongoing construction (Howard to Folsom):

  • Demolition of the roadway on the east side of 4th Street
  • Installation of the roof deck
  • Utility work on Folsom Street at 4th Street
    • Night work hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Excavation of the site

Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Howard to Folsom):

  • One traffic lane is available on 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets
  • Two right lanes on Folsom Street available during utility work
  • Clementina Street is closed at 4th Street
  • The sidewalk on the west side is closed

Excavation continues under the roof deck on Stockton Street between Ellis and O'Farrell Street.Excavation continues under the roof deck on Stockton Street between Ellis and O'Farrell Street. Union Square

Stockton Street from Ellis Street to Post Street


On Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets, the contractor is excavating and installing the roof slab for the Union Square/Market Street Station. The southeast corner of Union Square Garage will be demolished to make room for the future north entrance of the Union Square/Market Street Station.

Ongoing construction (Ellis to Post):

  • Sheet pile installation
  • Installation of roof deck
  • Utility relocation and support
  • Excavation
  • Compensation and jet grouting
  • Construction hours may be 24 hours a day, Monday to Saturday, Sunday work may be required

Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (Ellis to Post):

  • Geary Boulevard at Stockton Street may be narrowed to one traffic lane from May 19 to May 21 during night work hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • O'Farrell Street has been narrowed to one lane at Stockton Street until late July
  • Stockton Street between Ellis and Post streets is closed to vehicular traffic
    • Local deliveries may access Maiden Lane from Post Street
    • Sidewalk access may be limited at times
  • Muni service impact:
    • The bus stop for the 38 Geary Route on Geary Boulevard at Stockton Street is discontinued until further notice
    • Board bus on Geary Boulevard at Powell Street

Ongoing construction (Ellis Street):

  • Excavation
  • Demolition of BART annex
  • Installation of roof deck beams

Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (Ellis Street):

  • Ellis Street is closed to through traffic between Stockton and mid-block until June
  • Sidewalk access in the area may be limited at times

The crew prepares the roof of the future Chinatown Station for a concrete pour.The crew prepares the roof of the future Chinatown Station for a concrete pour. Chinatown

Stockton Street from Sacramento Street to Jackson Street

At 933-949 Stockton Street, construction and excavation of Chinatown Station is underway.
Ongoing construction (Sacramento to Jackson):

  • PG&E duct bank installation on Stockton Street between Washington and Jackson streets
    • Work hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Dewatering well installation may start the week of May 18 on Washington Street at Stockton Street
    • Work hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Instrumentation installation continues
    • Night work hours: Monday to Friday, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Potholing continues
    • Work hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Installation of the roof deck
  • Excavation of station site
    • Construction hours are Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (Sacramento to Jackson):

  • Muni Service Impacts:
    • During night work hours of Monday to Friday, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
      • A bus stop for southbound 8 Bayshore, 8AX/8BX Bayshore Express, 30 Stockton, 45 Union/Stockton and 91 Owl on the mid-block of Stockton Street between Sacramento and Clay streets will be relocated to the north side of Sacramento Street on Stockton Street.
    • A bus stop for southbound 8 Bayshore, 8AX/8BX Bayshore Express, 30 Stockton, 45 Union/Stockton and 91 Owl on Stockton Street between Washington and Jackson streets is relocated to the north side of Jackson Street on Stockton Street
  • Parking will be unavailable in posted areas during work hours
  • Sidewalks along Stockton to remain open
  • Washington Street:
    • Remains closed between Stockton and Trenton streets
    • Is converted into a two-way street between Powell Street and the construction zone

Connecting People. Connecting Communities.


Contact Us: If you have questions about construction or the Central Subway Project you can email us at central.subway@sfmta.com or call us at 415-701-4371.

For More Information: The Central Subway team posts frequent project updates on a variety of social media outlets. To find out more about the project and construction progress, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Flickr, and check out our blog.

Construction schedules are subject to change.