San Francisco Infrastructure and Cable Car Maintenance Projects Completed

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today joined the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which oversees all surface transportation in the city, including the Municipal Railway (Muni), along with the San Francisco Department of Public Works (DPW) and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to announce the completion of two cable car system and city infrastructure improvement projects that required the six-month shutdown of the California Cable Car Line as well as three separate five-day shutdowns of the Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde Cable Car Lines.

“Today, we celebrate the reopening of the historic California Cable Car Line, an important and iconic mode of transportation in San Francisco. Investments in our infrastructure, such as this, not only keeps San Franciscans working, but it is necessary to keep the city moving.” said Mayor Lee. “The reopening of the California cable car line ensures that our city will continue to be a world class travel destination."

“The care and stewardship of the cable cars, a National Historic Landmark, are a vital part of our capital improvement program,” said Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., SFMTA executive director/CEO. “As we continue to reinvest in Muni, we invest in the future of San Francisco.”

“As stewards of the public right of way, this investment in our infrastructure ensures that our streets are safe and reliable,” said Edward Reiskin, DPW director. “This coordinated approach helps to minimize inconvenience and disruption to residents over the long term.”

 California Street Infrastructure Improvement Project

The California Street Infrastructure Improvement Project that led to improvements on the 17 blocks of California Street between Drumm Street and Van Ness Avenue is the result of years of planning and coordination between City agencies.

“It’s always more cost-effective and less disruptive to coordinate infrastructure projects,” said SFPUC general manager Ed Harrington. “This multi-agency project is a great example of how the city coordinates different street, transit and utility improvements to minimize any potential impacts.”

During the California Street Infrastructure Improvement Project, the SFMTA, DPW and SFPUC:

• Replaced necessary electrical and mechanical components to support the safe operation of the cable car system (i.e. conduits, pulley brackets, switches)
• Reconstructed concrete streets
• Repaved street
• Performed construction and installation of curb ramps at every intersection (excluding Van Ness Avenue and Stockton and Sabin streets) to comply with the Americans with Disability Act requirements
• Repaired sidewalk curbs
• Replaced sewer

The project was implemented in two phases. The first phase of construction began last September. The second phase, which included the six-month shutdown of the California Cable Car Line, started Jan. 3. Substantial completion of major construction and the return of cable car service on California Street began on June 21.

The SFMTA, DPW and SFPUC collaborated on the $24 million California Street Infrastructure Improvement Project. The total cost of the project was divided between the cable car line maintenance and improvements ($19 million), resurfacing streets and constructing curb ramps ($3.5 million) and the repair and replacement of sewers ($1 million).

Cable Car Improvement Project