10 MPH Speed Limit for Cars and Bikes on Crystal Springs at Polhemus

This is a friendly reminder that there is a 10 mile per hour speed limit for cars and bikes near the intersection of Crystal Springs Road and Polhemus Road at the North Shaft site. This is for the safety of everyone. It is a small speed limit zone and we ask everyone to use caution in the area and follow the speed limit.

Thank you!

Controlled Blast Scheduled for North Shaft on Thursday, June 11

Controlled blasting is scheduled for Thursday, June 11th at the North Shaft, located on Crystal Springs Road near the intersection of Polhemus Road. Controlled blasting can take place between 7am and 6pm Monday through Friday. All safety and noise control measures are in effect and the work is performed in accordance with California Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) and environmental regulations. All indicators for vibration, noise and air particulates are below the thresholds and are measured constantly.

New Photos of Controlled Blasting and Muck Processing

Controlled detonations at the North and South Shaft continue in June. The South Shaft has reached approximately 65 feet, the North Shaft 35 feet. Here are some recent photos!

Photo 1 - Crews lowering the blast cover on top of the South Shaft in preparation for a controlled detonation.

















Photo 2 - a controlled detonation. All indicators for vibration, noise and air particulates are below the thresholds and are measured constantly.

Photo 3 - After the detonation, rock and earth (called muck) are removed from the shaft using the crane.

Controlled Blasting to Continue at South Shaft

Controlled blasting of rock will continue at the South Shaft during the week of June 8th, 2009. We will keep you updated on the blasting schedule via this blog.

Controlled Blasting Begins June 9th at North Shaft

Contractor Shank/Balfour Beatty will begin controlled blasting of rock at the North Shaft, located on Crystal Springs Road near the intersection of Polhemus Road.

Controlled blasting will begin as early as Tuesday, June 9th and will continue for several days each week until the contractor reaches necessary depth.

Controlled blasting can take place between 7am and 6pm Monday through Friday. All safety and noise control measures are in effect and the work is performed in accordance with California Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) and environmental regulations. Neighbors may notice some noise and/or vibration during the controlled blasting.

If you would like to receive regular EMAIL or PHONE notifications of when controlled blasting will take place, please send an email to newcstunnel@sfwater.org or call 650-212-0165 and provide your email, phone, name and address by June 22nd. Blast schedules will also be posted on our Community Blog.

Pre-Construction Surveys along North Shaft

This week the project team notified neighbors closer to the north shaft of the project about pre-construction surveys. If you would like to have your home surveyed in the coming weeks, please contact 650-212-0165.

The controlled blasting that is taking place at the south shaft will move to the north shaft by mid-June.

Neighborhood Coffee: Save the date, Wednesday, June 24, 9 to 10 am. Members of the project team will be at Starbucks Coffee in the Crystal Springs Shopping Center to update you on the progress of the project and answer your questions. We invite you join us for a cup of coffee. Check back for details.

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.