Construction Update
Jan. 19-28, 2013
During the next 10 days, construction to prepare for tunneling will continue in SoMa and Union Square. In North Beach, AT&T will perform work to complete the relocation of telephone lines. No Central Subway construction is planned to occur in Chinatown.
For descriptions of construction impacts in each neighborhood, scroll down or click on the links below. We also post construction, traffic detour and Muni impact information on our project Google Map.
Construction impacts are planned to change at these locations by January 28:
- Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison): Traffic impacts changing on 4th Street between Howard and Folsom. New construction commencing on 4th Street between Folsom and Harrison. Construction may start on 4th Street between Market and Stevenson.
- Union Square: Foundation demolition to occur on Stockton Street between Geary and O'Farrell. This work, which involves impact equipment, may temporarily increase construction noise on this block.
At these locations, current construction impacts are planned to continue until January 28:
- Southern SoMa (Harrison to King/Berry): Two lanes of traffic to remain open on 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant
- Chinatown: No construction planned
- North Beach: AT&T to work to complete relocation of telephone lines that commenced last year. There will be no street excavation for this work.
We appreciate your patience and support while we build this essential upgrade to San Francisco's public transportation system.
-The Central Subway Team 
Two lanes are now reopened to traffic on this block of 4th Street, between Bryant and Harrison streets. Southern SoMa
4th Street from Harrison to King/Berry
On 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets, the contractor is constructing a major excavation known as a launch box at the site where tunneling will begin this year.
Planned construction:
- Excavate and construct access ramp at southern end of site
- Excavate launch box and install launch box supports
Traffic and pedestrian impacts:
- The two lanes on the east side of the street (left lanes for southbound traffic) will remain open to vehicle traffic
- The on-ramp to westbound I-80 may be closed from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weeknights and all day Saturday and Sunday
- The sidewalk on the west side of the block will remain closed; the sidewalk on the east side of the block will remain open
Traffic and pedestrian controls are in place. For more information on current construction impacts at this site, check out this blog post. 
On 4th Street between Howard and Folsom, this rebar cage was installed underground to form subsurface walls. Northern SoMa
4th Street from Market to Harrison
On 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets, the contractor is constructing below-ground walls, called headwalls, at the site of the future Yerba Buena/Moscone Station. The walls will cross 4th Street at two points on this block. For more information on construction at this site, check out this blog post.
In addition, the contractor will set up a construction zone and begin potholing for utilities on 4th Street between Folsom and Harrison beginning Monday, Jan. 21.
The contractor may begin construction on 4th Street between Market and Stevenson on Friday, Jan. 25. The same equipment that will be used between Folsom and Harrison will be used at this location, and the start date may change based on the progress of utility potholing between Folsom and Harrison.
Planned construction (Market to Stevenson):
- Set up construction zone and pothole for utilities. This work may start Jan. 25.
Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Market to Stevenson):
- Two lanes on the eastern side of the street (near Ross) may be closed starting Friday, Jan. 25.
Planned construction (Howard to Folsom):
- Construction of southwest and northwest headwalls
- Setup of new traffic configuration
- Construction of northeast headwall
Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Howard to Folsom):
- At least two lanes of traffic on 4th Street will remain open at all times during the day
- Until Tuesday, Jan. 22, the contractor will continue working on the western side of the block, with at least two lanes open on the eastern side of the street (left lanes for southbound traffic)
- The sidewalk on the western side of the street will be impacted until Jan. 22. Fencing and barriers are in place to designate a safe path of travel.
- Starting Wednesday, Jan. 23, the contractor will begin working on the eastern side of the block, with at least two lanes open on the western side of the block (right lanes for southbound traffic).
Planned construction (Folsom to Harrison):
- Set up construction zone and pothole for utilities
Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Folsom to Harrison):
- One lane on the eastern side of the street (near Pacific Bicycle and Whole Foods) may be closed starting Monday, Jan. 21
This week crews reinstalled decorative banners at the construction site on Stockton Street, reminding passersby to shop at Union Square businesses during construction. Union Square
Stockton Street from Market to Post
On Stockton Street between Geary and Ellis streets, the contractor is installing below-ground walls called headwalls at the site of the future Union Square/Market Street Station. In addition, ground improvement is underway on Ellis Street between Stockton and Powell streets.
Planned construction:
- Remove abandoned utility vaults
- Demolish foundations on Stockton Street between O'Farrell and Geary (in front of Barney's, Crate & Barrel, Louis Vuitton and Neiman Marcus) starting Wednesday, Jan. 23. This work involves impact equipment and may temporarily increase construction noise in the area.
- Install ground improvement (jet grouting) components
Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts:
- Stockton Street between Geary and Ellis is closed to all vehicles except emergency vehicles
- Ellis Street between Stockton and the Ellis-O'Farrell Garage (between Stockton and Powell) is closed to westbound traffic
- The 38/38L Geary may experience delays around Union Square
- Sidewalks on Stockton Street between Ellis and Geary will remain open, but they may be narrowed to facilitate construction
More information about construction at this site is available in this construction notice and this press release. 
This property on Washington Street is the future location of the Chinatown Station. Chinatown
Stockton Street from California to Broadway
No construction is planned to occur in Chinatown during the next 10 days. 
AT&T plans to splice telephone connections in a manhole in the intersection of Union Street and Columbus Avenue this week. North Beach
Columbus Avenue from Union to Filbert
AT&T will be performing work to complete the relocation of telephone lines that commenced in 2012.
Planned construction:
- A crew of approximately two people will be working inside manholes to splice telephone connections
- The manholes are located at the intersections of Columbus Avenue and Union Street and at Columbus Avenue and Filbert Street
- This work does not involve street excavation.
Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts:
- All lanes will remain open to vehicle traffic, but traffic may be directed around the impacted manholes while work is underway
- No bus lines will be impacted
- All sidewalks and crosswalks will remain open
Central Subway Construction Fast Facts
Project Alignment: 4th Street between Berry and Market streets; Stockton Street between Market Street and Columbus Avenue; Columbus Avenue between Stockton and Filbert streets.
Transit Reroutes: The southbound 8X/8AX/8BX Bayshore Express, 30 Stockton, 45 Union/Stockton and 91 Owl Muni bus routes have been rerouted to accommodate construction in Union Square and SoMa. These reroutes will remain in effect throughout the duration of Central Subway construction. More information is available online here.
Contact Us: Should you have questions about construction or the Central Subway Project, don't hesitate to contact our team. You can reach us at central.subway@sfmta.com or by phone 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.