Water System Improvement Program Sunol Valley

Calaveras Dam Rebuilds Intake Shaft

2012-01-25T09:47:00.000-08:00

About four months after construction began, we have witnessed a transformation of the original intake shaft and platform. In September 2011, this area served as the reception area for the official Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project.

The new intake shaft will be built adjacent to the existing intake shaft with a depth of 150 feet. The soil nail wall is currently being constructed to support the soil surrounding the future intake shaft. The architectural design of the new intake tower will replicate the design of the original tower built in 1925. Tunnels will be constructed to connect the existing water lines to the new intake shaft. The gravity fed system will send water from the Calaveras reservoir to the Sunol Valley Treatment Plant, eventually becoming our drinking water.

For more project info, contact us at our 24 hour answer line at (866) 973-1476 or email mle@sfwater.org

Not your ordinary Holiday Mixing.

2011-12-28T10:10:00.000-08:00

Here at Calaveras Dam, we are not mixing your typical holiday cookie dough. For 24 hours a day and 5 days a week, our project teams have been mixing soils for site stabilization. This process is necessary to stabilize the foundation of our disposal area for excavated materials in order to construct the dam.

Deep Soil Mixing is a soil treatment where soil is blended with cement and existing materials. In deep soil mixing, powerful augers are used to mix slurry, thereby stabilizing it for construction purposes. Below are photos of our work, day and night.

For more project info, contact us at our 24 hour answer line at (866) 973-1476 or email mle@sfwater.org

The SFPUC and the Town of Sunol Celebrate the Holidays

2011-12-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

Pizza, cider and rock samples! The SFPUC’s Holiday Open House at the Sunol Event Center was the place to be last Thursday night!

Sunol residents mingled with their neighbors and engaged in lively conversations about the history of the valley with SFPUC staff. Guests played with rock samples from the Calaveras Dam, marveled at construction photos of the New Irvington Tunnel and enthusiastically shared their vision for the proposed Alameda Creek Watershed Center.

Residents also had the opportunity to learn about other ongoing projects in the area including: the San Antonio Backup Pipeline; San Antonio Pump Station; Alameda Siphon #4; Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant; Town of Sunol Fire Suppression System; and the Watershed and Environmental Improvement Program and Bioregional Habitat Restoration Program.

The smell of homemade banana bread and hot apple cider filled the air as guests enjoyed freshly baked artisan pizzas topped with locally grown vegetables from Fred Hemple and Jill Shepard’s Baia Nicchia Organic Farm. Our youngest guests decorated their own ornaments and bookmarks.

Thank you to those who were able to attend our holiday event.

To all of our neighbors in the Sunol Valley and folks we’ve had the pleasure of working with this year, we want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season!

Sunol Region Holiday Open House

2011-11-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

Drop into the SFPUC’s Sunol Region Holiday Open House for a celebration of the holiday season and the coming New Year! Come meet representatives from all of our projects in Sunol Valley. They look forward to chatting with you about all the work we are doing.

Light refreshments and activities for kids will be provided.

Thursday December 1, 2011
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunol Event Center
11684 Main Street

Ready for Rains.

2011-11-21T15:24:00.000-08:00

It’s been wet out there, lately. As the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project begins construction, the team is ready for winter rains. The contractors must be prepared to treat storm water runoff to protect the local creeks. Large areas of exposed ground created as part of construction have the potential to erode soils and impact the water quality downstream. The project has installed a treatment system to protect the local creeks. The treatment consists of removing any silts and clays that may be eroded from exposed excavation surfaces. The contractor has installed an active treatment system that consists of retention ponds and sand filters to clean turbid waters prior to discharging back to the Calaveras Reservoir. The treatment system is designed to manage a flow up to 2,400 gallons per minute, equivalent to approximately 57 bath tubs filled with water.

The treatment system is prepared to operate around-the-clock for the duration of the four year project. We currently anticipate treating approximately 270 million gallons water. As the project prepares to move over 7 million cubic yards of earth over the next four years, the treatment system and other erosion control features will help maintain the water quality in the Alameda Watershed.

For more info, contact us at our 24 hour answer line at (866) 973-1476 or email mle@sfwater.org

New Irvington Tunnel: A Year in Construction

2011-11-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

The New Irvington Tunnel Project celebrated its first year of construction this past September. When complete the new tunnel will provide a seismically-designed connection between water supplies from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Alameda Watershed to Bay Area water distribution systems. Take a look at the important work taking place above and below ground:

Year One by Numbers:

1 Tunnel Shaft: At 115-feet deep and 41-feet diameter, the Vargas Shaft is the starting point for two of the tunnel headings.

2 Tunnel Portals: Carved into hillsides between Sunol and Fremont the Alameda West and Irvington Portals are access and exit points for the new tunnel.

3 Road Headers: Weighing in at a combined 127 tons these mechanical tunneling machines are grinding their way through 3.5 miles of rock.

76 Secant Piles: Drilled and poured 115-feet into the ground this interlocking circle of piles form the support for the Vargas Shaft.

3057 Feet to Date: Miners have excavated this total from 4 tunnel headings.

Welcome to our Headquarters.

2011-11-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

Frequent cyclists and commuters along Calaveras Road may notice new office trailers, nestled in the hills, approximately 7 miles from Highway Interstate 680. This is the official new home to the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project Team. The team has been working at the site months before the official trailers were completed in early November. Over 40 employees work daily out of the Calaveras trailers.

About the Team
Dragados USA, Inc./ Flatiron West, Inc./Sukut Construction, Inc. Joint Venture, combines international experience building dams around the world. Black and Veatch serves as the construction management firm for the project. Together with the SFPUC, the firms integrate a team committed to the sustainable development of California’s water projects.

As the largest project in the Water System Improvement Program, the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project team will replace the existing dam with a 220-feet high new seismically-designed, earth and rock-fill dam directly adjacent to the existing structure, restoring the reservoir to its historic water storage levels. All construction activities are expected to be complete in late 2015, and the project will reach final completion in 2016.

For more info, contact us at our 24 hour answer line at (866) 973-1476 or email mle@sfwater.org

Four Steps to Protecting Water

2011-11-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

A hydrogeologist collects groundwater data

In the hills between Sunol Valley and Fremont, the water that flows between the cracks and faults underground is worth more than gold. For nearly every property owner, it is their only source of water for drinking, agriculture and fire protection. It goes without saying that residents are very protective of their only water supply.

In the late 1920s, the construction of the existing Irvington Tunnel caused water levels in many wells, ponds and springs to drop. Fast forward to the present day and now you have an aging water system in serious need of a seismic upgrade. How did the New Irvington Tunnel project team come up with plan to protect water supplies? Here are the 4 steps:

1. Understand the problem – “We understand the problem” said the project manager and engineers. Hydrogeologic experts were hired to study the groundwater table, and quantify and forecast the problem with a sophisticated groundwater model. Using the model the project team has identified which residents may be affected and developed measures to offset any possible water supply interruption for each resident. "We are concerned about the loss of groundwater too!”

2. Share your knowledge – “Tunneling techniques have greatly improved over the past 80 years” said mining engineers and tunnel designers. Our team of experts described to the public how probe drills bore ahead of tunnel excavation to find pockets of water. If water is found, these holes are filled with grout keep the water from flowing into the tunnel.

3. Come up with a plan – “What if I still lose water?” asked many property owners. A groundwater management program was developed by the project team. In addition to water monitoring, each property owner received a site specific plan detailing the steps the project team will take to prevent an interruption in water supply.

4. Keep your commitments – No matter how well the first three steps were received this last step is what people will remember. Did we do what we said we were going to do? The jury is still out, however, since we started the program hydrogeologists have monitored water levels and shared the information with property owners. Regardless of the time of day or day of the week the project team responds when a property owner thinks there is an issue with their water supply. This week, construction crews are installing measures designed to prevent an interruption in water supply.

The project team’s work is far from complete, however, the groundwork has be laid to protect local water supplies. As tunneling progresses, groundwater monitoring will intensify and the team will continue to be ready to respond.

Tarantula Crossing

2011-11-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

Fall is tarantula time at the Calaveras Dam project site. The annual ‘tarantula migration’, which, begins in September through end of fall, is underway. Normally shy, living underground in burrows, and nocturnal, these hairy spiders are making their yearly journey above ground. The male tarantulas are migrating across our lands in search of female tarantulas to breed, and then the males scurry home in fear of being eaten by their new female companions. As part of our continuing efforts to protect wildlife, you will see many of our workers driving slow enough to stop and let the hairy critters cross the road, evident in this photo taken by our staff.

These hairy, eight-legged creatures have been feared by many. In reality, tarantulas have never caused any human deaths and are only dangerous to small insects. Tarantulas have very small venom glands and the bite of our tarantula is compared to a bee sting. Harmful spider bites generally come from poisonous spiders of other species. Although we wouldn’t want to find them inside the office trailers, we’re glad to yield to them on the roads outside.

For more info, contact us at our 24 hour answer line at (866) 973-1476 or email mle@sfwater.org

Holy Cow! It’s Cattle Fencing.

2011-10-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

If you ever had the opportunity to drive along Calaveras Road in Alameda County, you may have noticed a number of cows and calves along the hillside. In preparation for work on the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project, the project included the installation of additional cattle fencing to harbor and protect the cattle, which was completed in September 2011. In addition to cattle, the fencing protects other wildlife species from entering the construction site.

The Calaveras Dam Replacement Project, as well as other Water System Improvement projects in Sunol Valley, work side by side with these animals. These lands have been grazed by cattle for over a century. The SFPUC is on the leading edge of research into the benefits of responsible cattle grazing to watershed lands.

Properly managed livestock grazing has many benefits: reduces fire hazards by controlling the amount and distribution of grasses, benefits plant life by controlling non-native species growth, benefits wildlife by diversifying various species’ habitats while providing natural vegetation management.

For more info, contact us at our 24 hour answer line at (866) 973-1476 or email mle@sfwater.org

The Modern Day Canary: A Handheld Gas Detector

2011-10-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

When the existing Irvington Tunnel was constructed miners might have used canaries to warn them of dangerous gases.

Meet the modern day canary. Like its feathered forbearer it alerts miners to presence of dangerous gasses underground. However, instead of wings and a beak, today’s canary- a handheld gas detector is encased in rugged rubberized armor and has ultra-bright LED alarms.

Handheld gas detectors are operated by a certified gas tester that accompanies each tunnel crew underground. The modern canary tests for oxygen content, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and explosive gases like methane. If certain levels explosive or hazardous gases are detected then LED lights flash and an audible alarm is sounded.

Gas levels dictate the strict safety procedures the crews follow. If gas levels are detected at 10% LEL or Lower Explosive Limit, then steps are taken to increase ventilation in the tunnel. Work can continue but must be performed with extra care. If gas levels reach 20% LEL then electric power is shutdown and miners must evacuate the tunnel.

Safety comes first inside of the New Irvington Tunnel. Miners take great care to check their surroundings when operating hundreds of feet below ground. For the risks they can’t see with the naked eye, the modern canary- a handheld gas detector has their back.

CALAVERAS CRITTERS: Nurturing Nature at the Calaveras Dam

2011-10-17T13:02:00.001-07:00

Major construction is complicated in any setting, as well as in watershed lands that harbor rare and endangered species, it is doubly so. Members of the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project Environmental Team are on site every minute of every day to ensure that our construction activities do not harm these precious plants and animals. Case in point – last week monitors on site found a juvenile threatened Alameda Whipsnake. It took four specially-trained personnel a long time to carefully capture and move the animal to a safe pre-determined release location far away from construction.

The SFPUC owns and manages approximately 36,000 acres of the Alameda Creek Watershed. The Watershed contains grassland and oak woodland communities that support a wide range of animals including Special Status Species.

Environmental Compliance Manager Cullen Wilkerson, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Dept. of Fish & Game approved Biologist, handled the Alameda Whipsnake and relocated it safely to a new habitat nearby.

Alameda Whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus)
Federal Status: Threatened
State Status: Threatened

Description: A slender, fast-moving snake 3 to 4 feet in length with a slender neck, broad head and large eyes. Back is colored sooty black with a distinct yellow-orange stripe down each side.

Habitat: An active daytime predator, adult snakes peak in surface activity during the spring mating season with a smaller peak during late summer and early fall. Rock outcrops are important for retreat opportunities. Generally retreats in November into a small mammal burrow or other shelter, and emerges in March.

For more info, contact us at our 24 hour answer line at (866) 973-1476 or email mle@sfwater.org

Grinding Forward

2011-10-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

Tunnel crews are grinding their way forward on the New Irvington Tunnel Project. Miners excavate in four directions using road headers (tracked tunneling machines) and controlled detonations when necessary to dig out the 18,600-foot (3.5 mile) tunnel.

Over 2000 feet of tunnel has been excavated with approximately 16,600 feet remaining. Last Friday tunnel crews dug out a new daily record of 50 feet for the project. As the crews become more familiar with and how to deal with the variable ground conditions, the mining production has steadily improved each week. Tunnel excavation is estimated for completion in mid-2013 with project completion in mid-2014. Check out www.sfwater.org/nit for weekly updates of tunnel progress.

The New Irvington Tunnel will provide a seismically-designed connection between water supplies from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Alameda Watershed to Bay Area water distribution systems. The new tunnel will lay parallel to the existing tunnel between the Sunol Valley south of Highway I-680 and Fremont, California.

Calaveras Dam Replacement Project Update

2011-10-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

Road Closure Update
We have received permission from Alameda County to temporarily close Calaveras Road south of Geary to the Alameda/ Santa Clara County Line for two separate periods
- The first two-month road closure, initially planned for fall 2011 is now planned for early 2012.
- The second road closure is expected in late 2012/early 2013 for a period of 18 months.
- Calaveras Road will remain open on weekends, but will be closed Monday-Friday during these periods.
- Access to the Sunol Wilderness will remain open
from the north at all times and from both the north and south on weekends.
- Emergency vehicles will have access to the road at all times.
- The roads will be swept clean of debris prior to weekend openings.

Calaveras Dam – Controlled Detonation
The contractor will be using controlled detonation to produce the hard rock required for construction of the dam. To excavate the foundation of the dam, we may encounter rock that is too hard for our machinery, in which case we may also use controlled detonation. You may hear the detonation or feel minor vibrations from the activity. If you would like to receive an email notification beforehand, please contact Maria Le at mle@sfwater.org.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, call our 24-hour answer line at (866) 973-1476.

SHARE THE ROAD: One Road, Many Users

2011-10-05T07:43:00.001-07:00

Construction activity is now underway for the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project. Safety is our #1 priority.

Please be cautious of the large trucks and increased traffic along Calaveras Road, specifically south of I-680. Due to the narrow road conditions, please remember to ride and drive safely through the blind curves. The speed limit is 25 mph in construction zones.

We understand this is a popular route for bicycling enthusiasts and we hope we can all share the road safely. Please note that Calaveras Road will be closed for 2 periods. The first closure has been postponed until early 2012. Please check back here for updated road closure info.

Feel free to contact us at any time at 24 hour answer line at (866) 973-1476, or mle@sfwater.org. Thank you for sharing the road!

Then and Now

2011-10-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

The existing Irvington Tunnel was built in the early 20th century and can no longer be taken out of service for repairs or maintenance without impacting the water supply to customers. The New Irvington Tunnel is designed to provide a seismically-strengthened or reinforced connection between water supplies from the Alameda Watershed to Bay Area customers.

The Alameda West Portal in August of 1929. Miners excavated the existing Irvington Tunnel between 1928 and 1931 primarily using drill and blast techniques.

The Alameda West Portal in April of 2011. Miners are using road headers (conventional tunneling machines) and limited controlled detonations to excavate the tunnel. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2014.

NIT: Extended Construction Hours

2011-09-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

Update
Beginning on October 3, 2011 through May 9, 2012, the contractor is authorized to conduct construction activities 24-hours per day 7-days per week at the Irvington Portal in Fremont, as may be necessary to complete time critical work for the New Irvington Tunnel connections to the existing Bay Division Pipelines.

What Can I Expect?
On weekdays from 7AM to 7PM and weekends from 8AM to 5PM construction activities will focus on the crane placement of new pipe and be similar to what is currently being experienced. Outside of those hours the contractor will work on connecting and welding of pipe at the new tunnel. The operation of construction equipment (loaders, excavators and cranes) is necessary to complete this work. Worker trips to and from the site at shift changes will also take place. Tunneling is not allowed after 7PM on weekdays and 5PM on weekends. An effort will be made to complete all the work during daylight hours, and minimize work during the evenings and nights.

Will Work Take Place During the Holidays?
The contractor does not currently plan to work on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years Day. However, they have the ability to work on those days in order to complete their work within the extended work hour period. Residents will receive advanced notice if it becomes necessary to work on those days.

Why are Extended Hours Necessary?
This work can only be completed during the winter seasons when water demand is at its lowest. It is imperative for the contractor to finish his work and re-establish full capacity water service before water demand increases in the warmer months of Spring. In order to do this, the existing waterlines are cut out for the tunnel connections only one at a time, leaving other waterlines in service. The waterlines are drained and cut out and new connection waterlines are installed. Water service will not be impacted because there is redundant capacity in the pipelines during the winter seasons.

Questions?
Please call our 24-Hour Answer Line at 866.973.1476 or visit sfwater.org/nit if you have questions or comments.

Let the Digging Begin: New Calaveras Dam Breaks Ground

2011-09-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

On September 16th, General Manager Ed Harrington joined local and state officials to break ground on the construction of the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project. The 4-year, $416 Million dam is one of only several major dams built in California in 30 years. Alameda County Supervisor Nadia Lockyer and Sharon Tapia from the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams were on hand along with neighbors and project supporters. The contractor cut the first notch into the existing dam since it was originally built in 1925.

The Calaveras Dam Replacement Project will replace the existing dam with a 220-feet high new seismically-designed earth and rock-fill dam that will be constructed right next to the existing one. The Calaveras Dam Replacement Project is part of the SFPUC’s $4.6 billion Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) to repair, replace, and seismically upgrade the aging pipelines, tunnels and reservoirs in the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System.

Dedicated to Safety: Tunnel Rescue Team

2011-09-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

Excavating a tunnel is dangerous business. Skilled miners put their lives at risk every time they go underground, in conditions that may expose them to grounds that cave in, flammable gasses and groundwater that might pour in and flood the tunnel. Protecting the safety of our workers is the top priority of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and Southland Tutor Perini Joint Venture (STP). Should the unthinkable happen and miners need a rescue the Tunnel Rescue Team is ready at a moment’s notice.

Tunnel Rescue Team members are highly trained specialized tunnelers who put themselves directly in harm’s way to come to the aid of their colleagues. They are trained to enter a tunnel under hazardous conditions that would prohibit most people from entering to provide first aid, extract personnel, or put out fires.

At the New Irvington Tunnel (NIT), the Tunnel Rescue Team is a 13-member team on-call 24 hours-a-day 7 days-a-week. A back up tunnel rescue team from the Caldecott Tunnel Project is also available. First responders from CalFire and the Alameda County and Fremont Fire Departments support the Tunnel Rescue Team above ground.

The Tunnel Rescue Team practices and drills regularly to ensure their skills are ready when needed. We sincerely hope that their services will never be needed. But if they are, the NIT team invests time each day to be sure we are ready to protect the lives of the workers who are helping to ensure a reliable water supply for all of us.

Congratulations! It’s a… Killdeer!

2011-09-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

The New Irvington Tunnel Project was home to the birth of four killdeer birds. Native to California, the killdeer nest on level surfaces of sand or stones. True to its natural behavior a female killdeer was found nesting on a dry streambed- within 100 feet of bridge that was about to be demolished!

Great care is taken to protect all wildlife our project teams come in contact with as they rebuild and seismically strengthen the Hetch Hetchy Water System. The killdeer are North American birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the New Irvington Tunnel’s Environmental Impact Report. While workers were preparing to demolish a temporary bridge and build a new one, environmental inspectors were busy devising measures to monitor and protect the mother killdeer and her unborn hatchlings.

Inspectors monitored the nest daily. Each time the inspectors made sure all the eggs were still in place and the mother was incubating. To further protect the killdeer, workers shifted the main construction road 25 feet and established a no disturbance buffer of 25 feet around the nest. The nest was then surrounded by a wildlife exclusion fence. Signs were posted around the fencing that read “Bid Nesting Area, Keep Out”.

After three weeks of daily monitoring the big day came when the mother killdeer hatched four eggs. Within the next couple of days the young killdeer fledged and were ready to explore their new world. As for the workers and the inspectors, they were delighted all four killdeer were healthy. Once the killdeer moved on and out of the project area everyone could get back to the vital construction of the New Irvington Tunnel.

A Different Kind of Tailgate Party

2011-09-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

Early Monday morning the men and women responsible for building the New Irvington Tunnel have one thing in mind: SAFETY. Why? Because construction can be a dangerous profession and working underground adds to the risk. This is why safety is paramount for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) and Southland/Tutor Perini Joint Venture (STP).

Safety is important every day, however, Tailgate Meetings kick off every work week for all construction personnel working onsite. It gives safety managers and construction superintendents the opportunity to reinforce safe work practices. For example, when discussing fall protection, presenters demonstrate the proper use of personal protective equipment. Workers are also reminded to strap in when they are elevated over six feet. The presentations are designed so workers think safety before, during and after any activity. Other safety topics include first aid, emergency tunnel rescue and chemical handling.

Tailgate Meetings are just one tool (incidentally they are also called Toolbox Meetings) used to promote STP’s proactive safety culture. Signs posted through out the site are another way of encouraging workers to think and practice safety. Future blog posts will go into more detail about a number of safety related topics such as emergency tunnel rescue and gas testing and training.

Construction Progress: What a Difference a Year Makes!

2011-08-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

Construction for the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project is moving forward rapidly and is now 44 percent complete. This summer the contractor has made significant progress. The contractor has finished all preparations and started micro-tunneling underneath Alameda Creek to build a new pipeline that will connect to the treatment plant. Also crews have made significant progress with the new 17.5 million-gallon circular treated water reservoir, including completing the installation of the concrete floor slab. Inside the treatment plant, a new treatment train is beginning to take shape. All of these elements together will help boost the overall efficiency of the treatment process at the facility, improving reliability and water quality.

See the photos below that show progress on the treated water reservoir that will act as a balancing reservoir for water as it leaves the plant:

September 2010

The early stages of excavation for the treated water reservoir

August 2011

The treated water reservoir takes its circular shape

Treated Water Reservoir Construction By the Numbers:
• 400,000 cubic yards of soil removed to construct it
• 40,000 cubic yards of concrete to build it
• 1,482 soil nails to secure it
• 1,160 piers drilled underneath it for seismic safety
• 2-3 feet thick floor slab installed

Sustaining the Environment at the New Irvington Tunnel

2011-08-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

The seismic upgrade and expedited delivery of the New Irvington Tunnel is crucial to maintaining a consistently reliable, high-quality water supply for 2.5 million Bay Area residents. Engineers and construction and mining professionals work daily to achieve this goal. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is equally committed to remaining environmentally responsible, and is working in collaboration with environmental scientists to ensure the work is done in a timely manner and environmentally sustainable manner.

Before construction could begin at any of the three tunneling sites, the SFPUC took numerous measures to ensure that environmental impacts are kept to a minimum on the project sites. One measure used to protect wildlife is to install wildlife exclusion fencing around each of the work sites. The black 4-foot high fabric fencing deters wildlife from entering the construction sites and is monitored for its integrity on a weekly basis.

The fence won’t discourage all wildlife. For our winged neighbors, an environmental monitor scours work sites for any signs of nesting birds. Initially, monitors try to discourage birds from establishing nests on site. However, if they encounter a completed nest, construction zones are altered or activities are postponed in that area until all the nesting birds have fledged or left the nest.

Protections against erosion and storm water run-off are also required. On the exposed slopes at all three tunneling sites, workers laid down wattles ( which are woven netted tubes filled with straw) to help prevent soil erosion. Wattles are laid down perpendicular to the slope, and when combined with other practices (such as mulching), prevent or slow down the effects of stormwater runoff.

Mulch is also applied to the hillsides to prevent erosion, through both a process called hydro-mulching and by manual methods. Hydro-mulch, which consists of recycled natural fibers combined with a tackifying agent, is sprayed onto the hillside and coats the soil. Straw is also manually laid down onto the slope. To help the vegetation grow, seed is added to the mulch mixture and applied to the slope through a process called hydro-seeding. As the vegetation grows, the mulch decomposes into the soil and the vegetation itself stabilizes the slope and prevents rain from directly falling on the soil and producing erosion.

Finally, all three of the tunneling sites are monitored daily by SFPUC environmental inspectors and specialty monitors. They verify that workers are in compliance with the environmental standards set by the SFPUC and environmental permitting agencies to maintain a healthy environment!

Where Are We Now? New Irvington Tunnel Update

2011-07-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

At the largest work site, Alameda West Portal, workers are maintaining steady progress. They began last week at a distance of 607 feet, but with the help of the robust roadheader and the highly efficient locomotive removing spoils from inside the tunnel, they were able to increase their distance by 48 feet and end the week strongly at 655 feet.

Tunneling began just over a month ago at Irvington Portal off of Mission Blvd. and work is rapidly progressing. On Monday of last week, workers continued from the previous week at a distance of 82 feet. With lots of hard work and the help of the roadheader grinding away, they ended on Friday at 146 feet. That’s an additional 64 feet in just one week!

Just off the 680 freeway lies the Vargas Shaft, where work began in early 2011. Tunneling has stopped for the moment as workers are busy drilling drain holes to discharge excess water from the tunnel, which will allow for easier tunneling. Tunneling will hopefully resume this week after which workers will be headed westward!

New Irvington Tunnel in the News!

2011-06-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

In print and on camera, everyone wants to know more about the New Irvington Tunnel. Check out the amazing photos of the past and present day construction and detailed exhibits in June 2011 issue of Tunnels and Tunneling International. READ ARTICLE

Next take a tour with Tunnel Talk and watch their coverage of the Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference’s (RETC) up close look at the New Irvington Tunnel. WATCH VIDEO.

Tunneling at Irvington Portal has Started

2011-06-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

Update
On June 20, Southland/Tutor Perini JV began tunnel excavation from the Irvington Portal in Fremont. The contractor will advance the tunnel using a road header (a tracked tunnel excavator) and controlled detonation if necessary depending on the rock conditions. Other construction support equipment will load and haul the excavation spoils from the site to a disposal area on Calaveras Road in the Sunol Valley.

Controlled Detonations
If the road header encounters harder than anticipated rock conditions underground, the use of controlled detonations may be necessary. This involves the use of small amounts of explosives to fracture the rock material so that it can be removed by the tunnel machinery. Safety horns would be sounded a set period of time before each event. We will monitor to ensure that controlled detonations comply with all local, state and federal safety, noise, and vibration requirements. Controlled detonations are only allowed to occur Monday through Friday between 7:00 AM and 7:00PM and on Saturday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. No more than two controlled detonations are anticipated per day on the days that controlled detonations are needed. But most of the excavation is anticipated to be successful by the road header alone.

Notification
Due to the nature of tunneling, it is challenging to predict far in advance when controlled detonations would be necessary. The SFPUC will provide residents with advanced e-mail notification of controlled detonations as early as possible (24 hours minimum). To receive e-mail notifications of controlled detonations, please send a message to fzamora@sfwater.org.

Residential Construction Surveys
Many residents exercised their option to have photographic and video surveys of their property prior to construction. These surveys document existing cosmetic and structural cracks for each property and are used as basis for evaluating claims of new damage caused by construction activities. If you have not had a survey conducted please contact the SFPUC as soon as possible, we may conduct surveys until July 6, 2011. Please call 866.973.1476 and reference the New Irvington Tunnel Project or e-mail fzamora@sfwater.org to schedule a photographic and video survey.

Questions?
Please call our 24-Hour Answer Line at 866.973.1476.

NBC Bay Area. Sunol Water Project Trying to Head off Major Quake.

2011-06-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

Calaveras Dam Replacement Project Construction Contract Awarded

2011-06-02T15:02:00.001-07:00

The construction contract for Calaveras Dam Replacement project was awarded on May 24, 2011 to Dragados, USA/Sukut Construction, Inc./Flatiron West Inc. joint venture for approximately $259 million.

KTVU Video: New Irvington Tunnel Project Underway

2011-05-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

Want to take an exclusive look at the New Irvington Tunnel? Check out KTVU Channel 2's sneak peak at the construction taking place to seismically upgrade the aging Hetch Hetchy Water System.

http://www.ktvu.com/video/27877116/index.html

Construction Moves Forward for Improvements at the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant

2011-04-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

Construction is moving forward for the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Treated Water Reservoir Project. As of April 2011, construction for the overall project is 25 percent complete. Recently the contractor, Shimmick Construction Company, Inc., completed the extensive earthwork and soil nail wall required to build the new treated water reservoir, which included the removal of over 400,000 cubic yards of material. This work is part of various improvements that will enable the treatment plant to treat enough water to meet basic customer demands alone for up to 60 days after a major earthquake as well as improve water quality at the plant. All these improvements are expected to be completed in summer 2013.

Workers finish securing the soil nail wall, which will help stabilize the treated water reservoir. Photo courtesy of Robin Scheswohl.

The excavation work for the treated water reservoir included the removal of over 400,000 cubic yards of material. Photo courtesy of Robin Scheswohl.

Tunneling Begins

2011-03-17T15:36:00.001-07:00

On Friday, March 11, the AQM 150-HR Roadheader began grinding its way west and has reached a distance of 25 feet. Tunneling will pause for approximately a week to complete the installation of the portal yard, ventilation and permanent power. Railroad tracks will also be installed behind the road header. The tracks are needed because as spoils generated they are collected on a conveyor belt and loaded onto rail cars for transport outside of the tunnel.

When tunneling resumes the roadheader will travel an average of 22 feet per day until it reaches the Vargas Shaft (14,300 feet away). A sister roadheader headed in the opposite direction will rendezvous with the machine sometime in 2013.

The roadheader’s boom-mounted cutting head that hacks away at rock face.

The boom-mounted cutting head is capable of excavating the 13-foot horseshoe shaped dimensions of the tunnel.

The Roadheader starts its journey from the Alameda West Portal

Spoils generated are collected on a conveyor belt attached to the roadheader and loaded onto rail cars for transport outside of the tunnel.

@ Work: Deeper at Vargas

2011-03-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

The Vargas Shaft gets deeper everyday and will soon reach its final depth of 120 feet. Here are some photos of the shaft at various stages. Feel free to guess the depth of the shaft and post your answers in the comment section. Sign up for the blog and we will send you the answers.

February 22, 2011: __ feet

Both photos on March 4, 2011: ___ feet

March 10, 2011: __ feet

@ Work: Alameda West Portal

2011-03-10T14:30:00.000-08:00

After months of working primarily above ground, construction workers are set to grind into the first inches of rock that make up the 3.5 mile New Irvington Tunnel. Here are some photos of crews @ Work on the eve of the first day of tunneling:

The AQM 150-HR Roadheader moves into position at the Alameda West Portal

Portal spiles are drilled to provide support for tunnel excavation.

Getting ready to knock on the door of the New Irvington Tunnel.

Video: What's Up with WSIP?

2011-03-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

Watch this short video and learn the latest about the SFPUC’s Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) to rebuild and seismically upgrade the Hetch Hetchy Water System.

AS4 Project Wins Prestigious Award

2011-03-01T15:20:00.000-08:00

Recently, one of the most critical projects in the SFPUC’s Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) received a special honor. The Alameda Siphon No. 4 (AS4) project, which includes the construction of a new siphon to help ensure water delivery to customers after a major earthquake, won the “2010 Pipeline of the Year” award from the Steel Plate Fabricators Association. The Steel Plate Fabricators Association is a major trade association of manufacturers that fabricates steel construction products. Ameron International was the pipe fabricator on the contractor’s team led by Steve P. Rados, Inc.

“With this award, the entire AS4 team is being recognized nationally for this project, which has included overcoming challenges to ensure its success. This award is appropriate as the work on this project has explored the limits of complicated pipeline construction”, explained Harvey Elwin, the SFPUC Deputy Director for Construction for the WSIP.

The Alameda Siphon No. 4 project was also one of the regional WSIP projects recognized in November 2010 for achieving over 1 million safe working hours without major injuries since April 2009. All construction work for the Alameda Siphon No. 4 project is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

The project included a pipe manifold which involved a series of compound angles and complex field welding.

Packing a Punch: The AQM 150-HR Roadheader

2011-02-22T15:03:00.000-08:00

How do you punch through 3.5 miles of dirt and rock? You start with an AQM 150-HR Roadheader which arrived on President’s Day after a weeklong trip from Maryland. A roadheader is a tracked piece of tunneling equipment used in conventional mining. In front is a boom-mounted cutting head that hacks away at rock face. The spoils generated are collected on a conveyor belt and loaded onto rail cars for transport outside of the tunnel.

This roadheader will start its journey at the Alameda West Portal (AWP) which is one of the primary tunneling sites for the New Irvington Tunnel. From there, the roadheader will tunnel west towards the Vargas Shaft and meet with a sister roadheader headed in the opposite direction. The roadheader rendezvous is expected to take place sometime in 2013.

The roadheader is more than 26 feet long, 7 feet wide and weighs 36 tons. The boom-mounted cutting head is capable of excavating the 13-foot horseshoe shaped dimensions of the tunnel. This roadheader also has a probe attachment used to drill a 2-inch hole 150 feet ahead of the rock to investigate ground conditions and groundwater inflow.

Look for continued images and updates of our progress at New Irvington Tunnel.

Digging Deep: The Vargas Shaft

2011-02-10T08:58:00.000-08:00

What is 120-feet deep, 41-feet in diameter and supported by 76 concrete secant piles? If you have been following us for awhile you know this is none other than the Vargas Shaft! For those that are new or just need a refresher here is a run down:

The Vargas Shaft is one of the three locations where tunneling will take place for the New Irvington Tunnel. The shaft is located immediately east of I-680 off of the Vargas Road exit. A road header will be lowered into the shaft where it will tunnel west towards the Irvington Portal. As soon as this tunnel section is complete, the road header will reverse direction and tunnel eastward from Vargas towards Alameda West Portal where it will meet another road header coming from the Alameda West Portal. The tunnel rendezvous is scheduled to take place sometime in 2013.

Excavation of the shaft began in late January and is scheduled for completion by early March. The road header will be most of the way to the Irvington Portal by year's end.

Here's a progress photo of the Vargas Shaft. A yellow railing has been installed for safety. In the background, you can see the steel I-beams that are used for sound barriers.

We will post more pictures as the project moves forward. Feel free to send any photos or videos you have of the project to fzamora@sfwater.org.

Water Line Damaged at Irvington Portal

2011-02-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

At approximately 10:00 AM, a drill crew installing inclinometers struck and damaged a 24" water line at the Irvington Portal. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and contractor personnel responded immediately and were able to stop the flow of water and contain it within the SFPUC's property.

The damaged water line serves the City of Hayward. The SFPUC immediately notified the City of Hayward so that the City can set up secondary pumps and storage measures. No service disruptions are anticipated as a result of the damage.

SFPUC and contractor personnel are currently working to repair the water line. Upon completion the water line will be disinfected and inspected prior to returning to service.

AS4 Contractor Reaches Safety Milestone!

2011-01-27T16:06:00.000-08:00

As of November 2010, the regional projects for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) achieved over 1 million safe working hours without major injuries since April 2009. The Alameda Siphon No. 4 project was one of the projects recognized as part of this achievement.

This significant milestone required a total commitment to safety by all participants including contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, consultants and SFPUC staff. The SFPUC salutes Steve P. Rados for active engagement, support and participation in the WSIP Safety Approach.

Recently, the project team presented representatives from Steve P. Rados with a certificate to recognize one million safe working hours. The project team members from left to right: Steve Nash, Regional Safety Manager, AECOM; Larry Olson, SFPUC Lead QA Inspector, (face in shadow); Eric Gee, SFPUC Project Construction Manager; John Barsky, CH2M Hill Regional Construction Manager; Tony Ferencik, S.P. Rados Project Manager; Ben Wright, CH2M Hill Field Contracts Administrator; Sarah Blain, SFPUC QA Inspector; Jim Peletier, S.P.Rados Project Sponsor; Ed Bulaong, S.P. Rados Office Engineer; Zac Arneson, S.P. Rados Office Engineer.

Construction Notice: Irvington Portal

2011-01-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

Construction at the Irvington Portal Work Area began today. The Irvington Portal Area is located immediately east of Mission Boulevard near Mission San Jose High School.

What to Expect

The following activities will take place through out the month of January:
• Potholing: Potholing is the practice of verifying the location of existing pipe utility locations by physically digging into the ground and uncovering the pipe. A backhoe and trench box to excavate around the existing pipes will be required in approximately 6 locations. Trucks used to haul equipment on and off the site will also be used during this time.
• Steel I-Beam Installation: Steel I-beam columns 10 foot to 20 foot tall will be placed into the ground. The columns are necessary for the future installation of sound barrier panels. The column installation involves a small truck mounted auger drilling holes in the ground into which the base of columns will be embedded with concrete.
• Gravel Lay Out: Gravel will be laid out on the project site to prevent track out of mud and dirt by construction traffic onto Mission Boulevard. Gravel lay out will involve the spreading out of gravel rock over an area of ground for the temporary parking of equipment and materials.

By Spring 2011, 10 – 20 foot sound barriers will be installed at the project site. In some sections, the sound barrier will be transparent in the upper portion of the barrier to allow for sunlight. Once the sound barriers are in place activities including tunneling, excavation, hauling soils from the tunnel shaft, installation of construction offices and facilities will take place. The Irvington Portal will remain an active construction site until the end of project scheduled in mid-2014.

Construction Hours

Work will take place at this location 7AM to 7PM on weekdays and 8AM to 5PM on Saturdays. However, for two 3-month periods (beginning November 2011 and November 2012), work hours may be extended to 24 hours-a-day; 7 days-a-week.

Noise & Sound

The Irvington Portal will be an active construction site. The sound of construction equipment and vehicles in operation should be expected. However, the contractor must stay within strict noise limits at the work area at all times.

Traffic

Delivery and movement of construction equipment and worker travel will be the primary source of traffic. Flaggers or other equivalent traffic control safety measures are required during morning school arrival (7:00 AM & 8:00 AM) and afternoon release (2:00 PM & 3:00 PM).

Questions

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission appreciates your cooperation. Please call our 24-Hour Answer Line at 866-973-1476 or visit sfwater.org/NIT if you have questions or comments.

Drilling Begins at the Vargas Shaft

2010-12-02T11:41:00.000-08:00

The SFPUC took an important step forward towards the construction of the New Irvington Tunnel. The Southland/Tutor Perini Joint Venture and their subcontractor Malcolm Drilling drilled the first of 76 secant piles for the 120-ft deep Vargas Shaft. Secant piles are 39-inch concrete filled piles that provide support for the excavation of the shaft. When complete, the 41-ft diameter Vargas Shaft will be a starting point for tunneling activities.

The New Irvington Tunnel will run 3.5 miles and have an internal diameter of approximately 8.5 to 10.5 feet. The new tunnel will provide a seismically-designed connection between water supplies from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Alameda Watershed to Bay Area water distribution systems.

Tunneling Machine Has Finished Its Job!

2010-12-01T14:43:00.000-08:00

A significant milestone has been achieved for the Alameda Siphon No. 4 project. In November, a 96-inch (eight-foot) diameter micro-tunneling machine completed its work to construct a 554-foot-long tunnel underneath Alameda Creek.

As work progressed to construct the tunnel, the team encountered some technical challenges with the micro-tunneling machine. However, the resourceful team and contractor came together and successfully overcame the obstacles to finish the work on a tight schedule.

Crews posed in front of the tunneling machine after it completed its work.

Crews removed the cutterhead portion of the machine from the retrieving pit.

“This tunneling accomplishment marks a significant milestone for the project. It required a great deal of hard work and coordination to work through some major challenges, and I want to commend the entire project team for their efforts,” explained Sunol Regional Project Manager Dan Wade.

This newly constructed tunnel is a significant component of the new Siphon No. 4 that will stretch across the Sunol Valley, connecting the existing Coast Range Tunnel at Alameda East Portal to the existing Irvington Tunnel and the New Irvington Tunnel (currently under construction) at Alameda West Portal. It will help ensure the SFPUC can deliver water to its customers after a major earthquake. This is necessary since the three existing siphons cross the Calaveras Fault and are vulnerable to earthquake damage.

Project Construction Manager Eric Gee explained that since the tunneling work is complete, the contractor efforts are now focused on the rest of the work inside the tunnel. This includes installing one 66-inch (5.5-foot) diameter and two 12-inch diameter pipes and securing it within the tunnel. This work will continue through the end of this year.

Project Manager David Tsztoo explained that the Alameda Siphon No. 4 project, which is more than 50% complete, also includes construction of a new pipe manifold and upgrades to the existing valves control facilities and the Town of Sunol pipeline near the three existing siphons. All work for the project is expected to be complete by December 2011.

Sunol Temple Centennial

2010-10-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

Members of the Sunol community recently joined the SFPUC to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sunol Water Temple near the SFPUC Sunol headquarters in the East Bay.

The 1910 temple, designed by noted architect Willis Polk, was built as a permanent tribute to the convergence of three sources of water serving San Francisco at the time—Alameda Creek, its tributary the Arroyo de La Laguna, and the Pleasanton Well Fields.

SFPUC General Manager Ed Harrington was Master of Ceremonies, and welcomed the crowd of several hundred people. Commission President F.X. Crowley talked on the significance of today’s upgrades to the region’s water facilities under the Water System Improvement Program. He also announced plans to upgrade the Sunol firefighting system, and reiterated the SFPUC’s dedication to the restoration of Alameda Creek. “Today,” he concluded, “we are celebrating a monument to the most precious of resources—our water”

Speakers representing the Sunol community included Alameda County District 2 Supervisor Gail Steele and long-time civic leader Pat Stillman. Stillman hailed the multi-year partnership between community and SFPUC that had produced the day’s celebration, and the temple’s restoration 10 years before. “My hope is to celebrate the water temple not only today, but tomorrow, and for many years to come,” she said. “Long live the water temple!”

Commission Vice President Francesca Vietor thanked the Sunol Planning Committee for its role in the successful day. A new plaque commemorates the temple’s centennial, and new interpretive panels chart Sunol water system history, from its 19th-century beginnings through today.

The current Sunol Valley water system is a critical link between the Sierra/Central Valley portion of today’s 167-mile Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System and the Bay Area’s transmission lines serving more than 2.5 million people. The SFPUC is upgrading all Sunol Region delivery and treatment facilities as part of the SFPUC’s comprehensive $4.6 billion Water System Improvement Program to repair, replace, and seismically upgrade the aging system, which crosses three major and active earthquake faults.

Pipeline Construction on Calaveras Road

2010-08-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

The Alameda Siphon No. 4 Project will be installing two large-diameter pipelines across Calaveras Road starting Wednesday, August 25, 2010 through Friday, August 27, 2010.

What this means:
* Through traffic on Calaveras Road will use small temporary bypass roads from the north and south alongside Calaveras Road to accommodate the pipeline installation.
* This area is located on Calaveras Road approximately 2 miles south of Highway I-680.
* The contractor – Steve P. Rados, Inc. will have traffic controls in place and will work to minimize any delays to through traffic. Please plan accordingly.
* Please adhere to the posted speed limits to protect the safety of the public and our workers.
* Those who need to enter and exit from Calaveras Road at this location could also experience delays as they are safely directed into the lane of traffic.

Thank you for your continued patience and support!

Active in the Valley

2010-08-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

For those who have driven through the Sunol Valley on Calaveras Road on a weekday, you'll notice a great deal of construction activity.

The Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Treated Water Reservoir Project has begun, and the contractor, Shimmick, has been moving earth to make way for the new treated water reservoir.

The Alameda Siphon No. 4 Project has begun excavation of the special trench at the Calaveras Fault Crossing as well as micro tunneling underneath Alameda Creek.

The San Antonio Pump Station Project completed all the micropiling work underneath the station, and are working quickly on retrofitting the small pump station.

Alameda Siphon #4 Update

2010-05-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

The Alameda Siphon #4 project has just completed the work on Siphon #2, which has been shut down for a matter of months. Siphon #2 should be brought back in service this week.

The Steve P. Rados crew will enjoy a very short break before preparations for the next shutdown begin next week.

San Antonio Pump Station Answer

2010-04-14T13:56:00.000-07:00

The answer is:

a. $14,000. The Pump Station was built in 1967. We are working to upgrade it now to make it more reliable in case of an earthquake.

Test Your Sunol Valley Knowledge

2010-04-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

What did the average house cost when the San Antonio Pump Station was built?
A. $14,000
B. $100,000
C. $3,000

Stay tuned for the answer!

To give you a hint, here is a photo during the pump station construction.

See you at the Sunol-Ohlone Wildflower Festival

2010-03-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

Now is a perfect time to visit the East Bay Regional Park District's Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness Park.

Come by the park this Saturday, March 27th for the Sunol-Ohlone Wildflower Festival, 11 to 4 at the Park headquarters: 1895 Geary Road, (south end of Geary Road off Calavaras)

SFPUC will have a booth there. Drop by and learn the latest about the Water System Improvements, enjoy fun crafts for the kids, and test your watershed knowledge.

See you there!

March Coming in Like a Lion for Sunol Valley Work

2010-03-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

The Alameda Siphon #4 contractor - Steve P. Rados - has begun preparations for the shutdown of Siphons #2 and #3, and will work around the clock through May to complete the complicated pipeline tie-ins on time.

The San Antonio Pump Station contractor - Mountain Cascade - has begun demolition work on parts of the San Antonio Pump station as part of the upgrade and seismic retrofit. They do this gently, though, since the pump station can't be out of service for any long period of time.

It doesn't look likely that work will go out like a lamb at the end of the month, does it?

The Light at the End of the Coast Range Tunnel

2010-02-18T11:39:00.000-08:00

Despite horrible weather, two small earthquakes, and a lightning strike on the Peninsula, crews completed their work on the Coast Range Tunnel ahead of schedule.

Hetch Hetchy water is flowing back to our customers. The Steve P. Rados team is drying off their rain gear, and preparing to work on the other side of the Valley.

Crews here install huge pipeline connections onto the tunnel face.

Soggy in Sunol

2010-01-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

Crews for the Alameda Siphon #4 project continue to work round the clock to finish crucial work during the Coast Range Tunnel shutdown, even during these heavy rains.

The speed of work has slowed some so that workers remain safe. They're still on schedule, though.

3.8 Quake on Calaveras Fault

2010-01-08T15:11:00.000-08:00

At 11:48 this morning the USGS reported a 3.8 earthquake on the Calaveras Fault near the Calaveras Reservoir.

There was no detectable damage to the Dam or other SFPUC pipelines and facilities in the Sunol Valley.

Work on upgrading the Sunol Valley water system to make it more reliable after an earthquake continues.

Recent Earthquakes A Good Reminder to Store Water

2010-01-08T15:00:00.000-08:00

The recent earthquakes are a good reminder for San Francisco Bay Area residents that it is not a matter of if but WHEN the next big earthquake will strike. We all must prepare.

One of the best and easiest things residents can do is store tap water for emergency use. After a big earthquake, water mains may break and homes may be without water for several days. We are upgrading our pipelines, reservoirs, pumping stations and other facilities to prepare for the next big earthquake.

Store at least one gallon of tap water per person per day to last at least three days. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and sunlight and change water every six months (pour water on a plant and refill bottle). You can reuse 2 liter soda bottles or use other food grade plastic or metal bottles for storing water.

Learn more at http://www.72hours.org/

Coast Range Tunnel Shutdown Begins

2010-01-05T16:07:00.000-08:00

The SFPUC has begun the long-planned temorary closure of the Coast Range Tunnel to perform maintenance and inspections on the tunnel and construct crucial pipeline connections to the tunnel in the Sunol Valley while it has been drained of water.

SFPUC customers will begin receiving water from reservoirs in the Bay Area exclusively until mid to late February.

Here is a view of the ventilation system constructed for this shutdown to keep air flowing through the tunnel.

Not Slowing Down for the Holidays

2009-12-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

Work in the Sunol Valley is moving full steam ahead.

The Alameda Siphon #4 Project Team is ramping up for the January shutdown of the Coast Range Tunnel. Here the contractor is unloading a huge, specially-designed fan for use during the shutdown.

Also, the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant Project was certified and approved for construction. The project will go to bid on December 18, 2009. Learn more about prequalifying for this project at sfwater.org/prequalify.

New Irvington Tunnel Project Approved

2009-11-13T15:04:00.000-08:00

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission approved the construction of the New Irvington Tunnel Project this week. The project EIR was certified on November 5th.

The project will now go to bid on December 15, 2009. The bids will be opened on February 25, 2009. Construction is expected to start in spring 2010.

Comment Period Extended for Calaveras Draft EIR

2009-11-06T14:18:00.000-08:00

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has requested, and received, an extension of 28 days to the public comment period for the Draft EIR for the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project from the San Francisco Planning Department. This is in response to requests received from other public agencies and the general public and the need to accommodate an additional public hearing for the project.

Comments are now due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2009.

For more information about how to provide comment in writing, please visit the Calaveras Project Page.

There will also be an additional public hearing in Sunol where members of the public can give comment on the Draft EIR.

Monday, December 14, 2009
6:30 p.m.

Sunol Glen Elementary School
Auditorium
11601 Main Street
Sunol, CA 94586

The Three R's at Sunol Glen School

2009-10-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

The Sunol 4H Club in partnership with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) will install a series of re-purposed food barrels to capture rain water for the school organic garden at Sunol Glen School tomorrow.

This coincides with the start of the rainy season as well as the kick-off of major projects in the Sunol Valley WSIP Program.

Those who want to lend a hand or learn more about this literal application of the three r’s – reduce, reuse, and recycle - the event starts at 10:00 a.m. at Sunol Glen School, 11601 Main Street,Sunol, Saturday October 24th.

Hope to see you there!

Drenched, but busy

2009-10-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

Despite recent rains, the contractor continues preparations for the winter shutdown of the Coast Range Tunnel, which is needed to make crucial pipeline connections to the existing system. The upcoming shutdown will be the contractor’s primary focus until the shutdown’s completion in February 2010.

Pipe for the project is on order, however. Major activities on the west side of the road, including laying and trenching the pipeline by the contractor, and micro-tunneling under Alameda Creek, will likely begin in spring of 2010.

Calaveras Dam Replacement Project Releases Draft EIR Today

2009-10-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

The Calaveras Dam Replacement Project recently made the headlines in the San Jose Mercury News. Click here to read the article.

Not only is the project making headlines, the SFPUC today reached a major milestone with the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). To view or download copies of the Calaveras Dam Preplacement Project Draft EIR, click the following links.

Calaveras Dam Replacement Project DEIR Volume 1 of 3

Calaveras Dam Replacement Project DEIR Volume 2 of 3

Calaveras Dam Replacement Project DEIR Volume 3 of 3, appendices

Hot in the Valley

2009-09-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

Weather in the Sunol Valley has been hot lately, and the fire danger is high. The Alameda Siphon #4 Project team is on high alert to avoid activities that might cause sparks in the dry grass areas.

Demolition continues on the hillside east of Calaveras Road in anticipation of the Coast Range Tunnel Shutdown this winter.

Mobilization Continues

2009-09-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

Construction crews installed trailers and are are putting up perimeter fencing this week. Preparations have begun for some demolition of existing facilities on the hillside on east side of Calaveras Road.

Welcome

2009-09-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Sunol Valley Water System Upgrades Blog!

Stay tuned for construction updates on the Alameda Siphon #4 Project soon.