Regional Groundwater Project Celebrates One Year in Construction

In April 2015, the Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery project kicked off construction at the Linear Park site in South San Francisco. Only one year later, the project is more than 32 percent complete and overcoming construction challenges to reach the finish line.


Workers install steel rebar to prepare for the wall pours at the Linear Park well station in July 2015. On the right is the completed exterior of the Linear Park well station in March 2016.


In November 2015, the project started well drilling activities at the Treasure Island site in South San Francisco. The project completed drilling all wells apart of this contract in early 2016.


Construction crews finished installing new pipeline on South Spruce Avenue in South San Francisco in March 2016.

With these milestones successfully complete, the project team knows there is still a lot of work to be done before completion in October 2017.

SFPCU Construction Notice: Lane Closure Planned on S. Spruce Avenue between Huntington Avenue and Centennial Trail

Beginning as early as Monday, March 28, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC’s) Regional Groundwater Storage & Recovery Project will begin installing a new pipeline along S. Spruce Avenue between Huntington Avenue and the Centennial Way Trail in South San Francisco. 

• The SFPUC will install an eight inch diameter pipeline along S. Spruce Avenue.
• During pipeline construction, one eastbound lane will remain open to traffic from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. All eastbound lanes on S. Spruce Avenue will reopen at the end of each work day.
• Flaggers will be at the intersection of Huntington Avenue and S. Spruce Avenue to guide traffic during construction.
• During lane closures, access to businesses and homes will be maintained at all times.
• Construction activities are anticipated to last for approximately two weeks. 
• This Project will provide additional sources of water supply to our Peninsula customers in times of drought.

Time to Spring Forward!

It is starting to look a lot like spring on the Peninsula. One of our team members snapped this picture of some Golden Poppies from the Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade project site in South San Francisco. In addition, it is time to spring forward with Daylight savings time starting this Sunday, March 13, 2016. Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour for more light in the evening and a later sunrise! Hello Spring!

Capturing Construction in Photos

To our construction teams, Robin is a familiar face who frequently visits the active construction sites to shoot some candid photos of construction and our hard workers. Little did we  know that Robin not only works to document the construction progress but she gains much deserved national recognition while she is at it. For the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP), Robin’s photo of the New Irvington Tunnel Project made the Top Ten for the Engineering News Record (ENR) 2015 Year in Construction Photo Contest. This is a prestigious international construction photography competition, and we are extremely proud that Robin’s photo of our own tunnel was a winner!

About Robin

Robin Scheswohl moved to the Bay Area in 2003 from Philadelphia, PA where she studied photography and later worked with corporate and wedding photographers. She’s been with the SFPUC since 2007, working in the Construction Management Bureau and the Engineering Archives. She is responsible for cataloging and preserving thousands of historic images dating back to the 19th century, as well as documenting the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) construction projects. SFPUC Engineering Archives Photography has curated public exhibits at City Hall, at the San Francisco International Airport, and the SF American Institute of Architects (AIA) Headquarters. The images are used extensively by the SFPUC and appear in books, periodicals, environmental and engineering studies.

Here is Robin filming at the Bay Tunnel, which is the first tunnel constructed under San Francisco Bay.  Congratulations, Robin!

Construction Activities Resume

 

Construction activities for the Regional Groundwater Storage & Recovery (GSR) and Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade (PPSU) projects will resume today, February 16, after observing the President's Day Holiday.

SFPUC Pipeline Repair to Begin at Junipero Serra Park Entrance

Depicted above is the location of pipeline construction and temporary pedestrian access.

Beginning the week of December 7, crews with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) will begin construction to permanent repairs on the 130 feet of the large water pipeline that ruptured in July of this year. Construction will take place at the entrance to Junipero Serra County Park. While private vehicles will not be able to access the park, pedestrians will be able to access the park from Crystal Springs Road via an alternate pedestrian path. Please pay close attention to directional signage for park access.

What to Expect:

• Construction mobilization and pipeline demolition and replacement activities inside Junipero Serra Park. Please reference the map above.
• Work hours: Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through the end of February 2016.
• For safety reasons, the general public will not be able to drive into the park for the duration of construction activities, including over the weekends. 
• Pedestrians entering from Crystal Springs Road will be rerouted to use alternate access, please reference the map above for the exact location. Other pedestrian trails in the park will be mostly unaffected.
• There will be some noise and dust associated construction activities, but environmental monitoring will be in place to ensure these impacts are minimal.

Thank you for your patience as we complete these important pipeline repairs! Questions? Please e-mail blauppe@sfwater.org or miglesias@sfwater.org, or call us toll free at (866) 973-1476.

Check out the 2015 WSIP Annual Review Newsletter

As we approach the end of 2015, we’re excited to take a moment to go back in time some of the exciting milestones that the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) achieved. While the WSIP has been active for the past 10 years and we are at 90 percent completion overall, there are still active projects in construction.

This year’s newsletter highlights various projects from the Peninsula, Bay Division and Sunol regions, including the completion of the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant. In addition, we’ll take a look back at the various awards projects have received and an update on the California drought and its impact to our water system.

2015 WSIP Year In Review

Enjoy! 

PPSU Project Completes Major Construction; Restoration Now Underway in San Bruno

Final look at San Andreas Pipeline No. 3 at Shelter Creek Condominiums in September

Can you believe only two months ago the PPSU project completed pipeline installation and put the new San Andreas Pipeline No. 3 back into service? Now in restoration, the project is working quickly to return the SFPUC’s right of way to how it looked before construction.

Next week, the contractor will focus on repairing and replacing the curb, gutter and sidewalk on the south side of Whitman Way. All pedestrians will be detoured to the sidewalk on the north side of Whitman Way from Monday, November 9 through Friday, November 13. For more information and updates about the PPSU project, please call the 24-hour answering service at (866) 973-1476.

Thank you for your continued patience and support during this project. This project ensures the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System continues to deliver water to customers after an emergency.

 

Regional Groundwater Project Begins Construction Activities at Treasure Island RV Park Site

Beginning as early as this week, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) Groundwater Storage and Recovery project will begin construction activities. The scope of work includes drilling a new groundwater well that will be 590 feet deep, installing approximately 180 feet of pipeline and building a new well station adjacent to the Treasure Island RV Park in South San Francisco (please reference the map below for the exact location).

24-hour well drilling work will occur continuously for up to

one month inside the blue rectangle pictured above. 

The project anticipates well drilling will begin in October. Once this work begins, it will occur continuously for 24-hours a day for up to one month in duration. To minimize noise impacts, the contractor will monitor noise levels and install sound curtains with blankets to ensure the levels do not exceed the local noise ordinance. During night work, the contractor will rotate construction lighting to direct it away from homes near the well drilling work.

Questions?
For more information about this project, please call the 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476, or visit the Project webpage at sfwater.org/GSR.

Regional Groundwater Project Begins Construction at Orchard Supply & Hardware Site Next Week

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery (GSR) project anticipates starting construction on approximately Monday, September 28. Major construction activities will include drilling a new groundwater well to a depth of 440 feet deep, installing 790 feet of pipeline and building a new well station near the Orchard Hardware & Supply store in Millbrae. Once drilling begins, this activity will last 24-hours a day for up to one month.

24-hour well drilling work will occur continuously

for up to one month inside the blue rectangle pictured above. 

To minimize noise impacts, the contractor will monitor noise levels and install sound blankets to ensure it does not exceed the local noise ordinance. During night work, the contractor will rotate construction lighting to direct it away from homes near well drilling work.

Questions?
For more information about this project, please call the 24-hour answering service at (866) 973-1476, or visit the Project webpage at sfwater.org/GSR.

Mobilization & Construction Activities Begin at Lake Merced Golf Club GSR Site

This week, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's (SFPUC) Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery (GSR) Project started mobilization and construction activities to prepare for drilling a new groundwater well that will be 620 feet deep at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City (please reference the map on the back for the exact location).

Once well drilling begins, work will occur continuously. To minimize noise impacts, the contractor will monitor noise levels and install sound blankets to ensure the levels do not exceed the local noise ordinance. During night work, the contractor will rotate construction lighting to direct it away from homes near the well drilling work.

24-hour well drilling work at Lake Merced Golf Club anticipates starting 

next week inside the blue rectangle pictured above. 

Once well drilling begins, work will occur continuously for up to one month. To minimize noise impacts, the contractor will monitor noise levels and install sound blankets to ensure the levels do not exceed the local noise ordinance. During night work, the contractor will rotate construction lighting to direct it away from properties near well drilling activities.

For more information about the GSR Project, please be sure to subscribe to this blog, visit sfwater.org/GSR or by calling us at (866) 973-1476.

Labor Day Holiday Construction Hours

Construction Notice: Regional Groundwater Project to Begin 24-hour Well Drilling in Colma

On Monday, August 10, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's (SFPUC) Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery (GSR) Project will begin preparing the Colma Boulevard site for construction activities. Beginning as early as Monday, August 17, the GSR Project will begin drilling a new groundwater well that will be 690 feet deep near Colma Boulevard in Colma. Please reference the map below for the exact location.

24-hour well drilling work near Colma Boulevard anticipates starting on  

Monday, August 17 inside the blue rectangle pictured above. 

Once well drilling begins, work will occur continuously for 24-hours a day for up to one month in duration. To minimize noise impacts, the contractor will monitor noise levels and install sound blankets to ensure the levels do not exceed the local noise ordinance.  During night work, the contractor will rotate construction lighting to direct it away from properties near well drilling activities. 

Neighbors Toured Newly Completed Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

What better way to meet your neighbors than over coffee, bagels, and water treatment? On the last Saturday in June, more than 50 of our neighbors around the newly-upgraded Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant accepted our invitation to do just that. The Plant has been under construction for the past four years in order to complete critical seismic and system upgrades as well as build an 11-million-gallon treated water reservoir on the site. It was our chance to show our patient neighbors what the fuss was about, and to say thank you.

Neighbors enjoy the view from the top of the newly completed Treated Water Reservoir.

The Plant treats drinking water that is stored in the Crystal Springs and San Andreas Reservoirs on the Peninsula before delivering it to communities in San Mateo and San Francisco counties. The upgraded Plant can now provide up to 140 million gallons of water per day for 60 days within 24 hours after a major earthquake to the almost 1 million people that it serves.

Project Construction Manger Ryan Cayabyab, Project Manager Calvin Huey, and plant operators Tim Kennedy and Jim Myint showed our guests around the plant. They explained how water is treated at the plant, and highlighted the new features recently installed as part of construction. Check out this time lapse to get a sense of the scale of the project.

The completion of the project is a huge milestone for the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) and a critical component of a consistent, reliable and high-quality drinking water supply in the Bay Area.

We enjoyed meeting our delightful neighbors, and we look forward to seeing you all around the neighborhood.



A map of the upgrades completed during the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant Long-Term Improvements Project.

New Interactive Map for Regional Groundwater Storage & Recovery Project

The Regional Groundwater Storage & Recovery (GSR) Project has multiple active sites across five cities: Daly City, South San Francisco, Millbrae, Colma and San Bruno. In an effort to keep you informed about construction activities, detours and other project updates associated with GSR Project’s 13 sites, we have developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) Map.

This GIS map will be located on the project webpage www.sfwater.org/GSR. The map will be updated regularly depending on construction activities. A a snapshot of the GIS map with functionality capabilities is below.

• Click numbers 1 - 13 to review construction site information
• Each site has a box that highlights current status, hours and upcoming work
• The blue area illustrates the construction area limits associated with the site
• Use the navigational + and - sign to zoom in and out of the GSR project map

Regional GSR Project Begins Well Drilling Next Week

On Thursday, June 18, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery (GSR) project will begin drilling a new groundwater well to a depth of 730 feet deep at Benjamin Franklin Intermediate School in Daly City.

24-hour well drilling work will occur continuously for up to one month. inside the blue rectangle pictured above. 

To minimize noise impacts, the contractor will monitor noise levels and install sound blankets to ensure it does not exceed the local noise ordinance. During night work, the contractor will rotate construction lighting to direct it away from homes near well drilling work. 

Questions?

For more information about this project, please call the 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476, or visit the Project webpage at sfwater.org/GSR. 

PPSU Project Road Closure: Whitman Way

Beginning as early as Monday, June 22, Whitman Way will be closed between Shelter Creek Lane and Courtland Drive from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to remove and install water pipelines across Whitman Way as part of the Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade (PPSU) Project. Whitman Way will reopen at the end of each work day at 3:30 p.m.

Whitman Way will be closed during the following time periods:

• Monday, June 22 – Friday, June 26 
• Monday, July 6 – Friday, July 10 
• Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17 
• Monday, July 20 – Friday, July 24 

During this closure, all traffic will be detoured to San Bruno Avenue via Shelter Creek Lane, Madison Avenue and Crestmoor Drive. For more information and updates about this closure, please call the 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476 or subscribe to this blog, to receive project updates.

The PPSU project includes seismic upgrades to three Hetch Hetchy regional water delivery pipelines located in Northern San Mateo County. This project will ensure the pipelines can continue to deliver water to customers after an emergency. 

Please reference this map to access San Bruno Avenue during the full closure of Whitman Way.

GSR Project Construction Activities Ramp-up this Week

The Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery (GSR) Project will ramp-up construction activities inside the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC)’s right of way in South San Francisco this week. 

 
Linear Park in South San Francisco

• The contractor will begin well redevelopment work on Monday, May 18, increasing activity at this site for approximately two weeks. 
• Permitted construction hours for this work are currently Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Expect to see more construction vehicles accessing the site via South Spruce Avenue. Also there may be some dust and noise associated with construction activities.

Hickey Boulevard & Camaritas Avenue in South San Francisco

• The contractor will begin well redevelopment work on Thursday, May 28, increasing activity at this site for approximately two weeks.
• Permitted construction hours are currently Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
• Expect to see more construction vehicles accessing the site via Camaritas Avenue. There may be some dust and noise associated with construction activities. 

For more information about the GSR Project, please be sure to subscribe to this blog, visit sfwater.org/GSR or by calling us at (866) 973-1476.

Pipeline Construction South of Whitman Way Begins This Week

This week the PPSU project contractor, Ranger Pipelines, Inc., will start pipeline removal and replace approximately 1,100 feet of aged pipe inside the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s right-of-way south of Whitman Way and north of the San Bruno Chinese Church in San Bruno. 

Permitted construction hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Construction activities at this location are expected to last through summer 2015. During these activities, please keep an eye out for intermittent sidewalk and lane closures along Whitman Way.

Pipeline construction and related activities will occur 

in the outlined areas pictured here.

What is the PPSU Project? 
The PPSU project includes the seismic upgrade of three Hetch Hetchy regional water delivery pipelines located in Northern San Mateo County. This project will ensure the pipelines can continue to deliver water to customers after an emergency.

Questions?
For more information, please call the 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476, or subscribe to this project blog.

PPSU Pipeline Construction Begins in Shelter Creek Condominiums Next Week

The region outlined above indicates where construction activities

are occurring inside Shelter Creek Condominiums.

On Monday, March 2 the PPSU project contractor, Ranger Pipelines, Inc., will start pipeline removal and replace approximately 200 feet of aged pipe inside Shelter Creek Condominiums within the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s right-of-way. The contractor will also begin delivering and staging pipe on Monday, March 2.

Permitted construction hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on an as-needed basis. Construction activities inside Shelter Creek Condominiums are expected to last through summer 2015. The contractor has implemented a noise monitoring plan, vibration monitoring points and sound walls to minimize construction impacts.

During daytime activities, Shelter Creek Lane inside Shelter Creek Condominiums, depicted in the visual above, will be closed to vehicle traffic. All daytime traffic accessing Garage 4 and residents of Buildings 3, 4 and 5 will be rerouted via Whitman Way. Garage 3 residents will not be affected. At nighttime, the contractor will reopen Shelter Creek Lane to traffic.

The PPSU project includes the seismic upgrades of three Hetch Hetchy regional water delivery pipelines located in Northern San Mateo County. This project will ensure the pipelines can continue to deliver water to customers after an emergency.

For more information or if you have questions, please subscribe to this blog or call (866) 973-1476.