Controlled Blasting at South Shaft Runs Smoothly

Contractor Shank/Balfour Beatty is using controlled blasting to excavate into rock at the South Shaft. The blasting began on Tuesday, May 19th and was closely monitored. The blasting is taking place in accordance with OSHA and environmental regulations and all measures are in place to ensure nearby neighborhoods are not impacted by noise or dust. Blasting in the shaft and tunnel will continue until the contractor is ready to launch the tunnel boring machine.

Controlled blasting may take place at the North Shaft location in mid-June if necessary.

Pre-Construction Surveys

Pre-construction surveys will be performed in the immediate areas of construction. If you have any questions or need any more information about the surveys please call 650-212-0165

A Bird's Eye View (Helicopter)

Here are some aerial photographs taken in Mid-April displaying the south shaft construction area off of Polhemus Road.

Baden and San Pedro Water System Upgrades

JMB Construction, Inc., the Contractor working for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, will begin mobilization in early May for the water system upgrades at the following locations:

• West Orange Avenue and El Camino Real in South San Francisco
• B Street and Junipero Serra in Daly City

The work will improve the reliability of the regional water system, and reduce vulnerability and damage in the event of a major earthquake. The project will also provide greater operational flexibility to optimize the water delivery system to the City and County of San Francisco.

South San Francisco:
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am-5:00 pm.
Duration: May 2009 –Winter 2011

Daly City:
Monday to Friday: 7:00 am -5:00 pm
Duration: May 2009 – Winter 2010

Construction noise from heavy equipment and truck traffic can be expected and will be monitored. A noise reducing fence will be installed along the western and southern project boundaries, along West Orange and El Camino Real in South San Francisco.

Ground Breaking Event A Success!

Yesterday's New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel Ground Breaking Event was a great success. Check out the news stories from KTVU, KCBS and the SF Chronicle.

KTVU News (Video), 4/17/09 SAN MATEO: Upgrade Of Hetch Hetchy Pipe System Gets Underway

KCBS News (Radio), 4/16/09 New Quake-Proof Pipeline to Deliver H2O to the Bay Area

SF Chronicle (Blog), 4/16/09 Tunnel time

SFPUC, San Mateo County Officials Break Ground on New Tunnel Critical to Protecting Regional Water Supply After Major Earthquake

Excavation of a major new tunnel key to the reliable delivery of water to San Mateo County and San Francisco following a major earthquake began today in San Mateo County.

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and San Mateo County Officials joined local neighbors to initiate the New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel groundbreaking two days before the 103rd anniversary of the 1906 Great Earthquake and Fire.

To view the press release, click the link below.

Official Press Release

Temporary Traffic Changes in Effect

On Tuesday, April 14th traffic barriers were installed along Crystal Springs Road near Polhemus Road. The new speed limit is 10 mph. Motorists and bicyclists will share the road in this area and and should proceed with caution. Work in preparation of the excavation of the north shaft began on Tuesday, April 14th as well.