Night Work Nov 24-25, 30 and Dec 1st

As you know, the contractor has been making necessary adjustments to the tunnel boring machine (TBM) inside the shaft during weeknights. The TBM is now launched! On Nov 24-25, 30 and Dec 1st, limited crews will work until approximately 11pm. At this time, the contractor does not plan to work on Thursday or Friday. If the contractor continues to need more time to meet the project schedule, crews could work longer evenings in December.

During this night work, the majority of activities take place inside the shaft and tunnel. The crane and site lights may be used. The project team will follow all required nighttime noise limits as specified in the project Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Some soil may be lifted from the shaft but will not be relocated to the upper terrace until the following daytime shift.

We will continue to have on-call staff monitoring the situation. You may call our 24 hour dispatch 650-872-5900.

UC Berkeley Engineering Students Tour South Shaft Site

On Friday, November 13, a group of 27 graduate students from the University of California at Berkeley toured the South Shaft site.

Members of the project team led the tour and shared information about the project.

The students are taking an engineering geology class through UC Berkeley's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Safety Reminders on Polhemus Road

We are committed to safety and recently posted new signs on Polhemus Road alerting drivers, cyclists and pedestrians about trucks entering and exiting the roadway near our South Shaft site.

Please use caution in the area as we expect more trucks entering and exiting the site when we begin boring the tunnel.

Please also watch for deer! They often graze on the side of Polhemus Road and often cross in front of traffic. Please watch speed and use caution.

Temporary Night Work to Begin Friday, November 13th

In order to make critical adjustments to the tunnel boring machine prior to launch, contractor Shank Balfour/Beatty will extend their work hours to 11pm at the South Shaft site beginning on Friday, November 13th. Night work will NOT take place on Saturday or Sunday nights.

During the night work, a smaller crew of workers will be on site and the majority of the work will take place inside the shaft and tunnel. The crane and site lights will be in use. The project team will follow all required nighttime noise limits as specified in the project Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Some soil may be lifted from the shaft but will not be relocated to the upper terrace until the following daytime shift.

Maureen Barry will be available at 415-350-4929 or via email at mbarry@sfwater.org after 7pm in case neighbors have concerns. She will have direct access to the field supervisor.

What Neighbors Can Expect in November and December
Neighbors near the South Shaft site will see crews continuing to work inside the shaft, tunnel and maintenance shop. If critical adjustments are successful, tunnel boring is expected to begin in mid to late November. As stated in the EIR and during public meetings, tunnel boring may take place 24 hours a day if necessary.

November Update

The contractor is in the process of testing the tunnel boring machine (TBM) and will begin mining the tunnel soon. Once the mining process begins, rings of concrete segments will be installed by the TBM inside the tunnel to provide ground support.

The holidays will be here soon! We do not plan to work on the following dates: November 26 and 27. December 25 and January 1st.



Here is a recent photo of the South Shaft site showing the precast concrete segments that will be installed inside the tunnel.

Crews to begin Preliminary Potholing in Daly City on Monday

The San Andreas Pipeline No.3 Installation project has began full construction in San Francisco's Merced Manor neighborhood. In preparing for full construction to commence next year in Daly City. Mountain Cascade, Inc. contractor working for the SFPUC will begin potholing on Wilshire Avenue in mid November.

The preliminary stages of potholing of the construction project will consist of crews verifying the existing placement of pipelines and other utilities in the following locations:

Wilshire Avenue to Sheffield Drive 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sheffield Drive to John Daly Boulevard 7a.m. - 5p.m.
John Daly Boulevard to Poncetta Drive 7a.m. - 5p.m.

Potholing is expected to be completed by December 2009.

For continuing updates on this project, please visit www.sfwater.org/sanandreas3