Monday, December 30, 2013

Milestone: Non-stick Pipes Slipped Beneath I-680

On December 27, we placed the final length of the Bay Division No. 4 water pipeline under I-680 in Fremont. Representatives from the SFPUC, the general contractor and engineering firm came together this week to sign the final 25-foot-long length of pipe.

From L to R: SFPUC Project Manager Bryan Dessaure, Tony Ferencik and
Jim Pelletier of Steve P. Rados, Inc., WSIP Deputy Director of Construction
Alan Johanson and URS Corp. Structural Engineer Changmo Kwon.
In order to slide this new seismically-reinforced pipe into the existing pipeline, URS Corp. proposed an unusual method. Smooth sheets of the material used on non-stick pans, PTFE, were affixed to the inside of the existing pipe and the bottom of the new pipe. These sheets allowed the pipe to be slipped into place without using rollers or damaging the pipe coating. The material will also allow the new pipe to move more freely within the existing pipe during an earthquake so that it won't break.

WSIP Deputy Director of Construction Alan Johanson signs
his name on the final piece of Bay Division Pipeline No. 4
to be sliplined using the new technique.
We will continue installing additional segments of Bay Division Pipeline No. 4 pipeline throughout 2014 using a combination of open trenches and trenchless techniques.

White sheets of PTFE are applied to a pipe segment
 at the Seismic Upgrade of BDPL3&4.





Friday, December 20, 2013

Construction Update: Saturday and Nighttime Work

Work will take place on Saturday, December 21 and Saturday, December 28 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the SFPUC right of way near the southbound Mission Blvd. to northbound I-680 on-ramp. 

Workers will be welding and testing new lengths of pipeline in the Right of Way area adjacent to Tissiack Way. Vehicles will access the area via Omega Drive and Tissick Way.

Some additional work activities are currently taking place at 2 a.m. daily near the northbound Mission Blvd. to northbound I-680 cloverleaf, and will continue throughout next week with the exception of Christmas day.

Workers are using these early-morning hours to place mortar on new pipe segments and allow it time to dry. During this work, a generator is running to power a work light.

If you have questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476.

Para información en español, por favor llame 866-973-1476

DeAndre Washington, Steve P. Rados, Inc., works to secure PTFE material
to the outside of pipe segments prior to sliplining.




Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Construction Update: Saturday Pipeline Work

A seismically-upgraded length of Bay Division
Pipeline No. 4 is being installed this December.
Work will take place on Saturday, December 14 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the SFPUC right of way near the Mission Blvd. to northbound I-680 on-ramp.

Workers will excavate and remove elements of the original water system to keep regular weekday construction activities on schedule. No road closure will be necessary and no construction machinery will be moved in or out via residential streets on Saturday.

If you have questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476.


Para información en español, por favor llame 866-973-1476

Friday, November 22, 2013

Construction Update: Saturday and Sunday Work

On Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24, construction work will take place in the SFPUC right of way near the Mission Blvd. to I-680 on-ramp between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Workers will be excavating and removing elements of the original water system to ensure that construction can resume on-schedule next week.

Construction activities will continue next week, Monday, November 25 through Wednesday, November 27, and will be on hold Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The project team wishes you a safe and happy holiday.

If you have questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476.

Para información en español, por favor llame 866-973-1476

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you to Fremont residents and commuters who have followed our project updates as we work to ensure the delivery of water to the Bay Area through the BDPL 3&4 Seismic Upgrade project.

We appreciate the input you have given us as we complete this complicated project and work to minimize inconveniences to those who live and drive around the project site.

Construction will continue during regular work hours through Wednesday, Nov. 27, but no work will take place on Thursday, Nov. 28 or Friday, Nov. 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Have a lovely holiday and call our 24/7 hotline with any questions: 866-973-1476


Friday, November 8, 2013

Construction Update: Excavation Work to Take Place in Right of Way along Tissiack Place

Starting Wednesday, November 13, construction activities will take place during regular work hours, 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Workers will be replacing the Bay Division Pipeline No. 4, which runs parallel to the Bay Division Pipeline No. 3 that was upgraded in the Right of Way in August and September. The work will take place in SFPUC’s right of way parallel to Tissiack Place, between Mission Blvd. and Nugget Way.

This second pipeline will enhance the reliability of our water system in the event of an earthquake or other emergency. Installing the pipe will not require construction outside of regular work hours and will not require the closure of Nugget Way.

If you have questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476.

Work will take place in the blue area.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

A Bison Beneath Mission Boulevard

Vertebra bone found at the
construction site.
Paleontologists discovered fossilized bones of multiple species during construction this summer.  In addition to many microfossils (e.g. birds, fish, clams, and reptiles) several large mammal bones were found, possibly of an extinct type of bison believed to have lived during the Rancholabrean age sometime between 10,000 and 300,000 years ago.  Buffalo, the largest land animals in North America today, are a form of bison.  Because vertebrate remains are very rare these ice age fossils are considered a significant discovery and protected by both state and federal laws and regulations.

Paleontologists have been working at the site alongside construction crews in order to thoroughly evaluate and protect the fossil finds while causing minimal impact on the construction schedule. The team does not expect the discoveries to affect the construction project’s target completion date in late 2014.

Paleontologist Richard Serrano excavating finds.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Construction Update: Upcoming Saturday Work Planned Around Mission Blvd. in Fremont

On Saturdays November 2 and November 9, construction activities adjacent to 
Mission Blvd. will take place between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Workers will be placing a base slab for the seismically-engineered concrete box beneath Mission Blvd. as well as reinforcing abutments along the path of the pipeline. The work will not impact traffic on Mission Blvd. or local roads.

 If you have questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476.  

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Mission Blvd Night Closure Sat. Oct. 26-27 for Nearby BART Silicon Valley Work

Work for BART Silicon Valley

Closure of Mission Boulevard (eastbound and westbound) 

When: Saturday night – Sunday morning 

            Oct. 26, 11 p.m. to Oct. 27, 9 a.m.

Where: Eastbound and Westbound Mission Boulevard (Route 262) between Warm Springs Boulevard and I-880 in Fremont, including connector ramps to and from north and southbound I-880

The BART Silicon Valley Mission Warren Area Improvements Project, which is taking place near the SFPUC's Seismic Upgrade of Bay Division Pipelines Nos. 3&4, will require an overnight road closure to allow for installation of temporary false work for the future BART Silicon Valley bridge over Mission Blvd. this weekend.

To learn more visit
http://www.vta.org/bart/missionwarren.html

Friday, October 18, 2013

Sidewalk Closed on East Side of Mission Blvd. North of I-680

The temporary sidewalk east of Mission Blvd., open since March for residents living north of I-680 to pass beneath the highway, will be closed starting on Monday, October 28.

A new sidewalk on the west side of Mission Blvd. will be opened on Monday.

For your safety, please cross Mission Blvd. at Paseo Padre, and then cross beneath the I-680 using the open sidewalk on the west side of the street.

As construction continues along Mission Boulevard, we ask residents to obey all signs regarding sidewalk closures. 

For updates on sidewalk and street access, follow us on Twitter @I680H2OPipeWork or sign up for our email list in the right-hand column.

Pedestrians must use the sidewalk path marked in blue above.
Do not use the red pathway to cross beneath Mission Blvd.
The dark red area is an active construction site. 

Emergency Preparedness Month

The First 72 Hours
This October, take time to engage in your community, discuss ideas and plans, and prepare for an emergency or natural disaster. The SFPUC’s Emergency Preparedness Month encourages all San Francisco-area residents to become more aware and prepared for the next emergency, which is almost certain to take place in our lifetimes. The first 72 hours after an emergency are often the times when community members come together to help each other out. If we prepare beforehand, we’ll be better off when an emergency occurs.

What can you do?
Meet with your family, neighbors and community organizers to get connected, develop a plan and share resources. Use SF72.org and sfwater.org/BePrepared as starting points. You’ll find tips, guidelines for supplies, a mobile app and   stories from real San Franciscans.

This is our city
SF72.org was developed by San Francisco for San Francisco. Let’s protect each other and our city by using our resources and knowledge to the fullest when an emergency strikes.

Our community members are not the only ones getting prepared. The SFPUC has been improving and renovating our regional water system to ensure a safe and reliable water supply. Although San Francisco will always need to rely on this imported water from the Sierras, we are also developing additional water supplies that can be used in the event that our regional system is disrupted. For example, we are developing local wells in San Francisco to blend high-quality groundwater with our imported water supplies, and we’re producing recycled water for non-drinking purposes to reduce the amount of drinking water currently used in these ways.


Check www.sf72.org or www.sfwater.org/BePrepared for more information. 
 



Friday, September 27, 2013

Nugget Way Re-Opened to Traffic

Today our crews paved and re-opened Nugget Way for traffic. The street was closed in order to install a length of water pipeline.

 A second pipeline will also be installed in upcoming months, but will only extend from Mission Boulevard to Nugget Way and will not require additional street closures.

After the completion of all construction activities, Nugget Way will be paved again to improve appearance and durability.

Above: A backhoe excavated near 
Nugget Way last week. The pipeline 
in the foreground is now installed 
beneath the street.


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Construction Update: Nugget Closure Extended Through September 27

The Nugget Way closure between Omega Drive and Tissiack Way will continue through September 27 to allow for paving.

UPDATE: Nugget Way will stay closed through Friday, September 27, in order to install a length of water pipeline beneath the street.

Detour Information: Drivers may use Paseo Padre Parkway and the U-turn on Mission Boulevard to detour between Omega Drive and Tissiack Way. Pedestrians have access between the streets using the sidewalk on Paseo Padre Parkway.

For your safety, do not cross through the construction site on Nugget Way.

Red Line: Nugget Way closure
Yellow Line: Recommended traffic detour

If you have questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476.

Para información en español, por favor llame 866-973-147

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Five Day Closure of Nugget Way and Weekend Construction on Mission Boulevard

There are two upcoming construction activities which will affect the surrounding area outside of regular work hours.

1. From Monday, September 9 through Friday, September 13, Nugget Way will be closed between Omega Drive and Tissiack Way.

In order to install a length of water pipeline beneath the street, Nugget Way will be closed for five days. The closure will start shortly after 7 a.m. on Monday, September 9. Nugget Way will be re-paved and open to traffic by 7 p.m. on Friday, September 13.

Detour Information: Drivers may use Paseo Padre Parkway and the U-turn on Mission Boulevard to detour between Omega Drive and Tissiack Way. Pedestrians have access between the streets using the sidewalk on Paseo Padre Parkway.

Red Line: Temporarily affected portion of Nugget Way
Yellow Line: Recommended traffic detour
Blue area: Location of weekend construction work

2. Weekend work will take place south of Mission Boulevard between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the following days: Saturday, September 7; Sunday, September 8; Saturday, September 14 and Saturday, September 21.

This work is related to installation of a vault which will allow crews to access the new water pipeline in the future. The roadside work will be done by excavators and a crane, and will not affect traffic on Mission Boulevard.

If you have questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476.

Para información en español, por favor llame 866-973-1476

Friday, August 30, 2013

When Agencies Work Together



Want to learn more about what the Water System Improvement Program and other agencies are doing to improve infrastructure in the Bay Area? Watch this short video featuring Water System Improvement Program Director Julie Labonte and Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Construction Update: Mission Blvd. Lane Shift

A lane shift on Mission Blvd. east of I-680 in Fremont will take place after rush hour on Friday, July 26

In order to prepare for water pipeline installation work under Mission Blvd, workers will be shifting all four lanes of Mission Blvd. near I-680.

East- and westbound traffic will be shifted slightly to the north so that workers can drill piles and excavate a trench. Within this trench, workers will then be able to install a water pipeline within a protective concrete box while Mission Blvd. traffic continues uninterrupted.

The lane shift activity will take place without closures during a low-traffic period on Friday in the late morning or early afternoon.

Yellow lines represent the original lanes of Mission Blvd.
Blue lines represent the current alignment of Mission Blvd.
Red lines represent the alignment of Mission Blvd. starting 7/26/13

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Learning by Doing at the Bay Division Pipeline Nos. 3 & 4

From R to L: URS Intern Kelli McCurdy and SFPUC Intern Marisa Williams 
talk to Elizabeth Gruenstein and Vir McCoy, Specialty Environmental Monitors,
about the challenges of working near Agua Fria Creek.The interns are seen 
touring Agua Fria creek near Crawford Street, on the opposite side of I-680 
from the project’s current construction.

For the BDPL3&4 project team, summer not only brings hot Fremont days, but also the opportunity for summer internships. Over the last month, the SFPUC and the project’s design engineering firm, URS Corp., have both hired interns who will experience the real-life engineering challenges associated with rebuilding infrastructure in a state that is known for its earthquakes.

Not only are the students working together with engineers and the contractor to seismically upgrade a pipeline, but they are learning about the challenges associated with the busy I-680 commuter interchange and environmental mitigation efforts at a nearby creek. 

SFPUC Engineering Management Bureau Student Design Trainee Marisa Williams is excited for the hands-on nature of the internship. 

“My favorite part has been to see all the drawings and then to be able get out and see the actual site,” says Williams, a Civil Engineering student going into her fourth year at San Jose State University.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Next Stop: Warm Springs


On Wednesday, June 26, the SFPUC partnered with BART and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to show Fremont city councilmembers and local media three infrastructure improvement projects in Fremont's Warm Springs business district.

These construction projects are located within a 1-mile radius and are sandwiched between the I-680 and I-880 on Mission Blvd. They are part of regional water and transportation programs with a combined budget nearing $8 billion!

WSIP Director Julie Labonte welcomed the Fremont city council and reporters and 
announced that the WSIP and its 80+ projects are nearly 75% complete.

The event was designed to attract not only city council, but also reporters from multi-lingual and ethnic news sources. The event helped to reach commuters and residents of all cultural backgrounds throughout this diverse community. This summer kicked off major construction activities for all three projects that could cause delays for commuters who live in the area.

Fremont City Council committed nearly three hours out of their work days and participated in the event to understand the complexity of the construction projects and the lifelong benefits it would bring to their region.

"When agencies work together, the public wins," said WSIP Director Julie Labonte. "By coordinating our infrastructure improvements to enhance the economic vitality of the area now, we will minimize disruptions to Bay Area residents and visitors in the long run."

Radio, TV and print reporters participated in the tour to learn more 
about the infrastructure investments in the Warm Springs area. 

According to the South Fremont/Warm Springs Redevelopment Plan, within 25 years the Warm Springs business district is expected to grow employment by 48%. Due to excellent planning, this economic growth will be supported by the BART extension program, nearby VTA road improvements to Mission Blvd/Warren Ave and the seismic improvements to the Hetch Hetchy Water System that the SFPUC is undertaking within the Hayward Earthquake Fault at the I-680/Mission Blvd interchange.

Seismic Upgrade of BDPL 3&4 Project Manager Bryan Dessaure explained 
how the new pipeline design would ensure Fremont and our 2.6 million 
customers would have a reliable water supply following an earthquake. 

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Construction Update: Ongoing Night Work at I-680 for Sliplining of Water Pipeline

Starting the week of June 17, the contractor will begin periodic overnight quality assurance monitoring work at the interchange of Mission Blvd. and I-680. This monitoring work is quiet and non-disruptive, and will only take place along Mission Blvd. in the I-680 interchange. At this time, this work will not be near homes and will not disrupt traffic. Approximately three to five crew members will be accessing this work area in the SFPUC right of way around the I-680 and Mission Blvd. interchange.

Since the project is located above the Hayward Earthquake Fault, it is important for the contractor to ensure the jobsite and the newly installed pipeline meets safety and quality requirements before the start of the following work day. The newly installed pipeline will be replaced using the "sliplining" method.

What is sliplining?
Sliplining allows a new pipe segment to be threaded into pre-existing tunnels and pipelines located below I-680 and the I-680 on-ramp. This will ensure traffic continues to flow on I-680 and the ramps. This work and monitoring will continue until the Spring of 2014.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Construction Update: Mission Blvd. Lane Shift

A lane shift on Mission Blvd. east of I-680 in Fremont will take place after rush hour on Thursday, June 6

In order to prepare for water pipeline installation work under Mission Blvd, workers will be shifting all four lanes of Mission Blvd. near I-680 this Thursday.

East- and westbound traffic will be shifted slightly to the north so that workers can drill piles and lay a bridge. Beneath this bridge, workers will then be able to install a water pipeline within a protective concrete box while traffic of Mission Blvd. continues uninterrupted.

The lane shift activity will take place without closures during a low-traffic period on Thursday in the late morning or early afternoon. 


Yellow lines represent the original lanes of Mission Blvd.
Blue lines represent the current alignment of Mission Blvd.
Red lines represent the alignment of Mission Blvd. starting 6/6/13

Friday, May 31, 2013

Recap: Joint Community Meeting with SFPUC, VTA & BART

Last week, Warm Springs residents had a chance to learn and ask questions when the SPFUC co-presented at a joint community meeting with VTA and BART. More than 50 residents attended to hear about three innovative infrastructure improvement projects near Mission Blvd., and many took interest in the details of the Seismic Upgrade BDPL3&4 project.

If you missed the meeting, below are some of the questions which were asked:





  1. What are the project benefits?
    The purpose of the Seismic Upgrade BDPL3&4 project is to ensure that our 2.6 million Bay Area customers will have a reliable water supply following an earthquake. Since this project is located on top of the Hayward Earthquake Fault, the repair, replacement and seismic upgrades taking place are designed to provide a reliable and high-quality water supply that will ensure water for drinking and firefighting during an emergency.

  2. How old is this pipeline and the Hetch Hetchy Water System?
    Much of the Hetch Hetchy Water System was built in the early 20th century, and critical components have reached the end of their useful life and are vulnerable to earthquakes. The BDPL3&4 pipelines are crucial to servicing our East Bay customers, and are a critical connection to the major pipelines that will carry water to the Peninsula.

  3. Will the Seismic Upgrade BDPL3&4 Project require any disruptions of water service in Fremont?
    No. The project is designed to replace lengths of pipe while still delivering water to the region through other pipes in the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System.

  4. What is the lifespan of this pipeline, and what sort of earthquake is the pipeline designed to survive?
    Our pipes are designed with a lifespan of 50 years.  The new Bay Division Pipeline No. 3, referred to as “3x,” is engineered to withstand a fault movement of up to 6.5 feet, which will protect it against major earthquakes the likes of which have affected the Hayward Fault in recorded history.

  5. What are shutoff stations, and why are they important to the project? 
    Two shutoff stations were installed in 2007 on either end of the pipeline upgrade project. These stations allow the SFPUC to control the flow of water between the pipelines and shut off water leakage should a pipe break occur at the Hayward Earthquake Fault.

Friday, May 17, 2013

You're Invited: South Fremont Construction and Community Public Meeting


South Fremont Construction and Community Public Meeting
Thursday, May 23, 2013
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
South Bay Community Church, Multi-Purpose Room
47385 Warm Springs Boulevard, Fremont


The water pipeline project at Mission Blvd. and I-680 is one of three major construction projects laying the foundations for Fremont's new "Innovation District."

We encourage residents and business owners to join the City of Fremont, VTA, BART, CalTrans and SFPUC on Thursday evening to learn about the lifelong benefits and short term inconveniences that are associated with our projects.

Traffic-related detours and temporary lane/road/on-ramp closures will affect the widely used I-680, I-880 and Mission Blvd. commuter arteries over the next year. At the meeting you can learn more and ask questions about all three projects.



  1. The Seismic Upgrade of Bay Division Pipeline Nos. 3&4 at Hayward Fault 
    The major upgrade of two regional water delivery pipelines that cross the Hayward Fault involves ongoing work activities through the end of 2014.
  2. VTA Mission/Warren Area Improvements Project
    A 12-month Warren Avenue road closure between Kato Road and Mission Falls Court is scheduled to begin Monday, June 17, 2013. The closure will allow construction crews to trench Warren Avenue under the future BART system and build bridges for both BART and the Union Pacific Railroad.
  3. BART Warm Springs Extension Project
    Work will include lane closures on South Grimmer Boulevard between Warm Springs Boulevard and Lopes Court to accommodate BART track way overpass.



Monday, May 13, 2013

Construction Update: Pile-driving Work Underway in Preparation for Water Pipeline Installation


If you use Mission Blvd. in Warm Springs or drive by our work area on the I-680, you might have noticed the arrival of some new, tall machines. These machines aren't bulldozers or excavators. Instead they’re being used to help drill holes for cement pillars in the earth – called secant piles – along the pathway of the new BDPL3 water pipeline.

The purpose of this secant pile work is to ensure that our regional water delivery pipelines are protected during an earthquake in the following ways:
  1. The secant piles will serve as the pipeline’s first line of defense against earthquakes. Their existence around the newly installed BDPL3 pipeline will lessen the impact of soil movement on the pipeline’s own seismically-designed casing and joints. 
  2. Secondly, these piles are necessary to serve as foundations for the temporary raised bridges which will soon replace the I-680 on-ramps and allow construction workers to access pipelines underneath Mission Blvd.
  3. Finally, the piles act as barriers to shore up soil on either side of the project area, ensuring workplace safety during the project’s next phases.
To see more images by SFPUC photographer Robin Scheswohl of the secant pile drilling, watch our video below:



Friday, April 26, 2013

Preparing the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System for the Next Earthquake

The of month April commemorates the 107th anniversary of the devastating 1906 earthquake on the San Andreas Fault. Watch this video to see how we are preparing for the next emergency:

Follow the project @I680H2OPipeWork

Maintaining access to drinking water in an emergency is a community-wide effort. Learn how to do your part with the emergency preparedness tips below: 

Keep a 3-day water supply just in case

Watch this video to learn more.

If your stored water supply runs out, you can treat your tap water

Watch this video to learn more.

Locate the water shutoff valve to your building or residence before an emergency

Watch this video to learn more. 

For more information and to view our videos, visit sfwater.org/BePrepared or www.sf72.org. 

Friday, April 19, 2013

I-680 On-ramp Adjustment Planned for Tuesday Afternoon at Mission Boulevard


On the afternoon of Tuesday, April 23 crews will divert traffic to a new on-ramp to I-680. Work will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

On Tuesday, drivers using the westbound Mission to northbound I-680 on-ramp will begin being directed onto a newly-laid temporary ramp at the shoulder of the current ramp. The diversion of traffic from the current on-ramp onto the new on-ramp will not require any traffic closures.

The temporary ramp will allow workers to access lengths of water pipeline that lay beneath the busy highway interchange. Preparations for the new ramp have already begun and paving the new ramp is scheduled for Monday.

 Red line shows current on-ramp
Blue line shows new temporary on-ramp

If you have questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476.  

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Tweet Us Your Emergency Preparedness Tips!


The April 18, 1906 earthquake ranks as one of the most significant earthquakes of all time. Beginning at 5:12 a.m., with the epicenter located near San Francisco, the shocks were felt as far north as Oregon and as far south as Los Angeles.


As the earthquake anniversary looms, it presents the opportunity to begin a dialogue with your family and community about emergency preparedness in your home or workplace.

This April, we are providing you an incentive to become better prepared as it relates to water. We want you to share a photo of your water-related emergency preparedness tips. Tweet us @WSIPInTheNews or email us at wsip@sfwater.org now until April 30, and let us know what you're doing to be a local water hero by demonstrating (via photo) or sharing your own tips.

Bay Area residents, social media influencers and city agencies who participate will receive a pen and certificate.


We will retweet your tips and publicly tweet you this certificate. All partnering city departments, Twitter fans and residents will receive this certificate and pen by tweeting us your tip or showing how your city, home or office is a local hero.



Monday, April 15, 2013

Project Update: Pedestrian Signs Installed With Temporary Sidewalk


New signage along Mission Blvd. is now set up to help direct pedestrians who pass the Seismic Upgrade project on their daily errands and jogs.

On the south side of Mission Blvd., a temporary sidewalk has been installed between a northbound traffic off-ramp and the I-680 overpass. This path curves around a segment of the construction site and is lined with orange safety fencing.

Pedestrians should use the curved walkway, and not walk on the street or enter the work site between the orange fencing and the road. This temporary sidewalk will be in place until the end of construction in late 2014.

See images of the new signs (top right), the correct walking path leading to the left (bottom right) and a map outlining the walking path in blue (below).



Pedestrians must use the sidewalks marked in blue
Sidewalks marked in red and unmarked stretches of road 
are currently closed to pedestrians.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Be A Local Water Hero This April!

In the event of an earthquake, will you have enough drinking water?

The 107th anniversary of the devastating 1906 earthquake is coming up on Thursday, April 18th. 

This April, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) encourages all Bay Area residents and business leaders to take the time to discuss plans, supplies and ideas with your family and community to ready your home or office for an emergency or catastrophic event.

Be a Local Hero Contest!

This April, we want to know your tips for emergency preparedness and any precautions you and your family or office have taken to be prepared for an earthquake or natural disaster.

Tweet us @WSIPInTheNews between April 8 and 12, and let us know what you're doing to be a local water hero by demonstrating (via photo) or sharing your own tips. Participants will receive a pen and certificate. 

We'll retweet some of your tips during the week of April 15, but are encouraging your participation all month long. All cities and residents are eligible for a certificate by tweeting us your tip or showing how your city, home or office is a local hero. 


View Our Short Informational Videos on Emergency Preparedness As It Relates To Water: 

Keep a 3-day water supply just in case

View this video to learn more.

If your supply runs out, you can treat your tap water

View this video to learn more.

Locate the water shutoff valve to your building or residence before an emergency

View this video to learn more. 

For more information and to view our videos, visit sfwater.org/BePrepared or www.sf72.org. 




Friday, March 29, 2013

Upcoming Saturday Work Planned Around Mission Blvd. in Fremont

On Saturdays March 30, April 6 and April 13, positioning of guide beams will take place between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Workers using a crane will move a guide beam to install a temporary on-ramp bridge. When completely installed, this bridge will ensure uninterrupted access to the I-680.

We ask that you reduce speed while driving past the active construction site on Mission Blvd. and obey our safety signs while walking around the work areas. The northern sidewalk along Mission Blvd. is closed, and heavy machinery and excavated pits make it dangerous for joggers and pedestrians. Pedestrians should cross and use the south side of Mission Blvd.

Work will take place on the highlighted length of Mission Blvd., 
and parallel to the highlighted on-ramp.

The contractor will employ best management practices to control noise, dust and other disturbances around the site.

If you have questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476.  



Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Project Update: Additional Sound Fencing Installed on Tissiack Way

As construction continues in Fremont, homeowners along Tissiack Place may have noticed the installation of additional sound fencing along the perimeter of the work area. The taller fencing was installed to ensure that noise disturbances to the residents are softened and dust does not escape our construction area.

These polymer sound walls will remain up for the duration of the project and have proven to be effective in reducing construction-related noise on past construction projects.

Learn more about the polymer sound walls.

Keeping Businesses Informed

Last week, the SFPUC communications team spoke with business owners and delivered information packets by hand to keep nearby businesses informed about upcoming construction activities that may affect deliveries due to the project’s on-ramp closures.

The Mission Blvd. corridor is home to a vibrant range of businesses including retail stores, office parks and restaurants.  If you are an employee of a business in the vicinity of the Mission Boulevard and I-680 interchange or live in the Warm Springs neighborhood, register your email in the right-hand column to receive timely traffic-related updates.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Project Update: Night Work Required to Complete Temporary Water Pipeline

Upcoming Night-time Work

Closure of an I-680 on-ramp and five hours of night work are necessary on Monday, March 25 beginning just after midnight and continuing until 5 a.m., as crews complete a pipe tie-in that will allow continuous water supply to customers while we upgrade this major water distribution line.

Last month, a water quality testing apparatus was installed to ensure the delivery of high-quality drinking water to Fremont residents and others. As a next step, the contractor will remove the testing apparatus and install another length of pipe.

This five-hour timeframe has been identified to ensure that work is completed prior to morning commute times.

What to Expect?

This night work will involve some excavation around the on-ramp area. In addition, crews will also use a crane to remove the testing apparatus from the ground and to lay the new pipe. Water service will not be interrupted during this process.

The contractor will employ best management practices to control noise, dust and other disturbances around the site. 

If you have questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476

Why Night Time Work?

The regional water delivery pipelines in need of replacement are located directly under the I-680 freeway and the on/off-ramps of Mission Blvd. In order to access the pipeline, a phased traffic handling plan will be in place. This overnight on-ramp closure is one of a handful of traffic diversions that this project will require along this busy traffic corridor.
  The SFPUC, Caltrans and other governmental agencies have been working with the contractor on this phased traffic approach plan.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Nesting Season Arrives & Construction Continues while Keeping Birds Safe


Spring is here, and with it comes the primary nesting season for California’s birds. The SFPUC WSIP environmental team is taking precautions to discourage native species from setting up camp in trees where they may be disturbed by passing trucks and drilling activities.

To ensure the protection of the bird species, WSIP biologists Elizabeth Gruenstein (pictured to the right) and Jill Grant are hanging shiny nesting deterrents in trees around the BDPL3&4 jobsite in Fremont. Owl shapes, “eyes” and reflective ribbon will scare away birds that come to nest near construction. In years to come, birds will return to the same trees to nest.  

White tailed kite and red-tailed hawk are among the species 
that biologists hope to keep away from construction.

The SFPUC communications team has spoken with a number of residents around the jobsite who have approved the placement of deterrents within their properties. If you have any questions about an unexpected object hung on one of your tree limbs, don’t hesitate to call our 24-hour answering service at (566) 973-1476. Thanks for helping us protect our wildlife!

Balloon deterrents have large “eyes” which scare birds 
that would otherwise nest too close to construction.