Construction Update
November 2-11, 2013
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. 18 (details below).
This section provides overviews of current and upcoming construction impacts in each neighborhood. For full descriptions, scroll down or click on the links. 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 18, on 4th Street between Bryant and King. This involves drilling holes and trenches in the street to confirm the locations of existing utility lines. Work hours will usually be Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details are in the Southern SoMa section and in this construction notice.
- 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 several utility lines, construction of light-rail tracks and construction of an above-ground train station at 4th and Brannan. Impacts will vary during different phases of construction and on different blocks.
Northern SoMa (Market to Harrison):
- New: None
- Continuing: The two right lanes will remain 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.
4th Street between Market and Stevenson is reduced to two traffic lanes so we can improve the ground as the tunnel boring machines pass below. The work zone is on the east side of the street, in front of Ross. A temporary taxi stand is in place just south of Stevenson.
- Upcoming: After completing preparatory work, we will begin building the Yerba Buena/Moscone Station in the coming months.
Union Square:
- 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 18.
- 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.
Chinatown:
- New: Washington Street between Stockton and Trenton may close to vehicles and pedestrians the week of Nov. 18. This closure will allow us to relocate utilities and build an underground station wall in this area. The closure is expected to last for approximately two years.
On Stockton Street, the sidewalk in front of 933-949 Stockton is planned to reopen next week.
- Continuing: Building demolition at 933-949 Stockton Street is nearing completion. The contractor continues performing utility work on Stockton at Washington, and on Stockton between Sacramento and Washington. Expect parking impacts around construction zones. One lane of Washington just west of Stockton will remain closed.
- Upcoming: Within the Chinatown Station site, we are performing archeological surveys and environmental assessments in preparation for station preparation next year.
North Beach:
- New: On Saturday, November 9 and 16, construction will take place within the Pagoda Palace property. Work hours on the 9th are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Work hours on the 16th are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For some weeknights next week, the contractor will install monitoring equipment on Powell, Columbus and Union near Marini Park. A small work zone will be set up around the contractor's truck, and traffic will be diverted around it. Work hours will be 7:30pm to 5am. Please contact Andrea Baker at 415-351-8427 with any questions about the specific schedule.
- 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.
In the Bank of America parking lot at 1455 Stockton, crews are constructing a shaft 20 feet in diameter and 27 feet deep, for use to improve ground conditions when the TBMs pass beneath Columbus Avenue. 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.
- 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.
-The Central Subway Team
On the surface, crews prepare tunnel segments to be lowered underground. Southern SoMa
4th Street from Harrison to King/Berry
On 4th Street between Harrison and Bryant streets, the contractor has constructed a major excavation known as a launch box at the site where the Central Subway tunnel begins. After assembly of two tunnel boring machines (TBM) underground, tunneling is underway.
On 4th Street between Bryant and King streets, we plan to begin potholing for utilities the week of November 11. Potholing involves drilling small holes and trenches in the street to confirm the locations of existing utility lines. More information is available in this construction notice.
Planned construction (Harrison to Bryant):
- Construct tunnel for southbound trains (TBM Mom Chung)
- Construct tunnel for northbound trains (TBM Big Alma)
Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Harrison to Bryant):
- The two lanes on the east side of the street (left lanes for southbound traffic) will remain open to vehicle traffic except as described below.
- The block may close to traffic from 8 p.m. to 5:30 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.
- On Bryant Street at 5th Street, the left lane and several parking spaces will be closed.
Planned construction (south of Bryant):
- Potholing is planned to start on 4th Street between Bryant and King the week of November 18
- Construction will take place within construction zones marked by cones. Construction zones will move daily as work proceeds.
- Work hours are Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Traffic and pedestrian impacts (south of Bryant):
- Temporary bus stop relocations may be required. We will post notification at impacted stops
- Temporary partial lane closures will be in effect on 4th Street in the vicinity of construction zones
- Parking will be impacted in the vicinity of construction zones. The contractor will post 72-hour notification as required.
- Sidewalks may be impacted. The contractor will maintain a safe path of travel at all times.
- The contractor will maintain access to all businesses during business hours.
This week we set up this construction zone on 4th at Market. We will improve ground conditions here as the tunnel boring machines pass through the area.
Northern SoMa
4th Street from Market to Harrison
On 4th Street between Market and Stevenson, we are improving ground conditions while the tunnel boring machines pass beneath the roadway.
On 4th Street between Mission and Howard, the contractor is installing instruments to monitor utilities while the tunnel boring machines pass beneath the roadway.
On 4th Street between Howard and Folsom, preparatory work to construct the Yerba Buena/Moscone Station is now in progress at the corner of 4th and Folsom. Station construction will start soon.
On 4th Street between Folsom and Harrison, the contractor will perform ground improvements while the tunnel boring machines pass beneath the roadway.
Planned construction (Market to Stevenson):
- Monitor ground conditions and improve them as needed
Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Market to Stevenson):
- Two lanes of traffic will remain open on the west side of the street, with the work zone on the east side of the street (near Ross)
- The taxi stand will be relocated to Market Street just south of Stevenson.
Planned construction (Mission to Howard):
- Install instruments to monitor utilities. Work may occur at night.
Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Mission to Howard):
- One lane between Mission and Howard may be closed
Planned construction (Howard to Folsom):
- Remove underground tanks
- Test soil conditions
- Drill to verify ground conditions
- Remove light pole within construction zone
- Work hours are Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Howard to Folsom):
- The two right lanes of 4th Street will remain closed to traffic
- Clementina between 4th and 5th is closed to thru traffic. Please use this block for local access only.
- The sidewalk on the west side of 4th Street between Clementina and Folsom will be closed. To ensure pedestrian safety, please use the sidewalk on the east side of the street and cross at 4th and Howard.
- Big trucks will enter and exit the 4th and Folsom site during work hours. Flaggers will be on site to facilitate truck entry and exit.
Planned construction (Folsom to Harrison):
- Monitor ground conditions and improve them as needed
Traffic and pedestrian impacts (Folsom to Harrison):
- The parking lane and one lane of traffic on the eastern side of the street (in front of Whole Foods) will be closed
To reduce dust generation, a worker sprays the Stockton Street worksite with water. Union Square
Stockton Street from Market to Post
On Stockton Street between Geary and Ellis streets, the contractor has installed below-ground walls called headwalls at the site of the future Union Square/Market Street Station. Ground improvement is underway on Ellis Street between Stockton and Powell streets.
Planned construction:
- Stockton between Ellis and O'Farrell: The current phase of construction is complete on this block. Site restoration is currently in progress.
- Stockton between O'Farrell and Geary: The current phase of construction is complete on this block. Site restoration is in progress.
- Ellis between Stockton and Powell: The current phase of construction is complete on this block. No work is planned for the next 10 days.
- On Stockton Street, the contractor will work from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays.
- We plan to reopen Stockton Street the week of Nov. 18.
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. 
Demolition of 933-949 Stockton Street continues. With the above-ground building now gone, crews worked this week to demolish the basement. Chinatown
Stockton Street from Sacramento to Broadway
To prepare to build the Chinatown Station, contractor Tutor Perini is demolishing the existing building at 933-949 Stockton Street. In addition, preparatory construction is now underway on Stockton Street.
Planned construction:
- Demolish 933-949 Stockton Street
- Perform water line work at the intersection of Stockton and Washington
- Pothole for utilities on Stockton between Sacramento and Washington
Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts:
- Several parking spaces may be closed near the intersection of Stockton and Washington, on both streets, and in the vicinity of construction zones
- One lane of Washington Street will be closed just west of Stockton Street
- The sidewalks on Stockton and Washington streets in front of 933-949 Stockton may remain closed
This week we started work in a parking lot at 1455 Stockton. This work will allow us to improve ground conditions along Columbus Avenue in preparation for when the TBMs pass below. North Beach
Powell Street from Union to Columbus
On private property at 1731-1741 Powell Street, the contractor will construct a walled excavation known as a retrieval shaft at the site where tunneling will end. The two tunnel boring machines will be removed from the ground at this location. Demolition of the Pagoda Palace is now complete.
Near the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Union Street, the contractor is completing utility work that was started last year. More information is available in this flier.
Planned construction (Pagoda):
- Construct retrieval shaft (subsurface walls)
- At this point, 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 necessary at times.
- Construction will be in progress within the property on Saturday, November 9 and 16. Work hours on the 9th are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Work hours on the 16th are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (Pagoda):
- Several parking spaces may be closed in front of the property.
- The sidewalk in front of the property may be closed. A temporary walkway will be in place around the construction zone when the sidewalk is closed.
Planned construction (Columbus and Union):
- Excavate and demolish manholes on Columbus between Union and Filbert
- Construction hours on Columbus are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Install monitoring devices on Powell, Columbus and Union near Marini Park. This work will take place for some evenings next week, from 7:30 p.m to 5 a.m.
Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (Columbus and Union):
- On Columbus between Union and Filbert, the left lane for northbound traffic will be closed during construction hours
- The northbound bus stop on Columbus at Union will remain open, but it will be temporarily relocated about 100 feet to the north during construction hours.
- To install monitoring devices near Marini Park on Powell, Union and Columbus, traffic will be diverted around the contractor's truck during some evenings next week.
Planned construction (1455 Stockton):
- Construct subsurface walls
- Work hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Traffic, transit and pedestrian impacts (1455 Stockton):
- No impacts to traffic, transit or pedestrian walkways are anticipated
- The parking lot at 1455 Stockton will remain closed
Central Subway Construction Fast Facts
Project Alignment: 4th Street between Berry and Market streets; Stockton Street between Market Street and Columbus Avenue; Powell Street between Union Street and Columbus Avenue; Columbus Avenue between Powell 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.