TBM Expected to Reach North Shaft Within Hours!

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) excavating the New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel is expected to reach the North Shaft site in a matter of hours!

The project team expects the TBM could finish as early as tomorrow, March 24th.

Watch this blog for updates!

Tunnel Boring Machine to Reach North Shaft Very Soon!

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) boring the New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel is expected to reach the North Shaft site very soon!

The project team expects the TBM to finish boring next week - most likely on or around the 25th of March.

The TBM is boring a 4,200 foot long tunnel for a critical water pipeline that will help ensure water delivery after a major earthquake.

We will keep you updated on the tunnel completion and next steps in this important project.

SFPUC Labor Relations Efforts Paying Off During Economic Downturn

New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel contractor Shank/Balfour Beatty has 27% of its workforce hours in apprenticeship, exceeding the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards requirement of 20%, according to the WSIP Labor Relations Office. The contractor is also providing tunneling equipment on loan to the Northern California Laborers Apprenticeship Program for use in training programs, reports Ardis Graham, Project Labor Agreement Administrator.

The New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel is one of SFPUC’s water system improvement projects, and is covered under the WSIP’s Project Labor Agreement (PLA).

For crane and equipment apprentice Simon Streeter and welding apprentice Justin Stephens, the PLA’s initiatives have resulted in opportunities to learn new, transferable skills through the Tunnel project. “We’re learning from guys with many years of experience. They look out for us. It is great to be employed in a good paying job where I learn something new each day,” said Streeter. Both men are residents in the WSIP service area.

Photos: Simon Streeter (top) and Justin Stephens (bottom).

Modern Artwork or the New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel?

North Shaft replacement pipeline Tee looking toward butterfly valve.

South Shaft looking up.

South Shaft looking down.

Photos courtesy of Jacobs Associates

New Toll-Free, 24 hour, 7 day per week Phone Number

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has a new toll-free, 24 hour a day, 7 day per week phone number for calls about our Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) projects.

You can now call 866-973-1476 anytime for information about the New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel project and other WSIP projects.

This number does not replace our local 650-212-0165 number, which rings to our offices at the South Shaft site, the 866 number is just one additional way to reach us at any time.

SFPUC General Manager Ed Harrington Tours New CS Tunnel site

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) General Manager Ed Harrington toured the New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel construction site on Thursday, February 18th.

Ed was joined by Regional Project Manager Husam Masri and New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel Construction Manager Sarah Wilson.

They toured the South Shaft site and discussed the progress of the tunnel boring machine (TBM), which has passed the half-way point in the tunneling process. The TBM is expected to reach the North Shaft site in March.

Pictured (left to right): SFPUC General Manager Ed Harrington, Construction Manager Sarah Wilson and Regional Project Manager Husam Masri.

Tunneling Reaches 50% Completion Milestone

Great News!

As of Friday, February 5th, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) has reached the approximate half-way point in boring the 4,200 foot long New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel.

After a few minor problems and delays in December, the TBM is now making great progress.

Tunnel completion is expected this Spring.