So remember when there were all those awful jackhammers and disruption on Carl Street a year or so ago? Well, they are at it again. Luckily, we don't think the jackhammers will be joining them this time. Some of you might have received a leaflet in your mail outlining the upcoming "updates". Here's the deal:

Starting Monday, July 28th through August 22nd, the SFMTA's contractor will begin work on traffic signal infrastructure work for the Carl and Cole intersection. (See clarification from SFMTA rep below) What we do know is that the main work will involve cutting a trench along the sidewalk on the north side of Carl Street (between Cole and Stanyan). Whoops, guess that does mean jackhammers. 

What to expect:

• Work hours will be from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday
• Work will start at Carl and Cole streets and proceed west 
• The streets will remain open (ultimately walking on Carl will be a disaster, not to mention those of us who will live above these said sidewalks. Lovely).
• Access to local businesses and residence will be maintained (again, no sidewalks)
• Muni service will not be affected (well, guess that's a good thing)
• Street parking will be unavailable where work is taking place (more parking spaces bite the dust)
• There will be some noise during excavation of concrete sidewalk (you mean jackhammers right?)

Other locations that will get the traffic signal "upgrade":

• Irving Street, from 3rd Avenue to 9th Avenue - August 25th to September 19th
• 9th Avenue, from Irving to Judah Street - September 22nd to October 3rd
• Judah Street, from 16th Avenue to 19th Avenue - October 6th to October 31st
• Judah Street, from 35th Avenue to Sunset Blvd - November 3rd to November 28th

This will be fun folks. 

UPDATE: 
We got in touch with SFMTA Project Manager, Tess Kavanagh, who was able to clarify what they mean by "traffic signal upgrades".

"To clarify, we are not installing any new traffic signals as part of the Sunset Tunnel project. We are upgrading the existing traffic signal system in order to improve travel times for the N-Line. The traffic signal upgrades include the installation of new signal wire loops within the roadway that will communicate with the existing signal lights, turning them red or green as needed to give the LRV’s priority through the intersection.For example, the work at Carl & Cole involves the installation of a signal loop that is serving the signal that exists at  Carl & Stanyan, two blocks away."

Yup, this is still happening. We wonder what's next.

From the postcard:
"Please join us to learn about the Sunset Tunnel Trackway Improvement Project. By replacing the aging track and other infrastructure inside the Sunset Tunnel, the project will help improve safety and reliability of the N Judah rail service. This meeting will provide an opportunity to review the project elements and address questions and concerns about the construction phase of the project."

SFMTA is at it again! Yup that's right, there will be another N Judah shutdown and construction in the neighborhood this weekend. I spoke with Jay Lu and Jeannette Sanchez (SFMTA Community Relations Division  about the tentative completion date of this long project. Answer: "The project...will reach substantial completion around Thanksgiving. Minor miscellaneous work will continue for two or three months after that."

Be sure to share your photos and frustrations with us on Twitter. Click below if you’d like to let SFMTA know how you feel by using the #sfmtacarl! 

Weekend Construction in Cole Valley

November 2nd (Friday) at 7pm to November 5th (Monday) at 5am

What to expect during construction this weekend:

• Track repair between Carl Street and west of the Sunset Tunnel 
• Grinding and paying Carl Street at Cole, Shrader, Willard, and Stanyan Street intersections, one intersection at a time
• Work on the overhead wire poles at various locations along Carl Street
• Noise and dust will be controlled in adherence with City Codes
• Electronic messaging boards will be used in affected areas to alert motorists and cyclists of detours
• Local businesses will remain open during construction

Note: Street work will generate noise, including jackhammering (during daytime hours only) 


Street closures and parking restrictions:

• Street will be closed on an as-needed basis at Cole, Shrader and Stanyan street intersections during street repaying
• Street parking will be temporarily unavailable near those intersections and around the areas where overhead wire pole repair work takes place

Note: If you live on the affected streets, please consider parking your car at an off-street garage or a parking lot such as UCSF Parking Garage and Kezar Stadium on Stanyan Street.  The project will reimburse you for parking charges. Please submit your parking receipts for reimbursement to: SFMTA Carl Street Rail Replacement Project, One South Van Ness Avenue, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103 Attn: Ha Nguyen.


Muni Service:

• N Judah will be shut down during the weekend
• N bus will travel on Frederick Street

The schedule is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen conditions.

The next shutdown on N line is scheduled for the weekend of November 16th.

Just received this letter in the mail. Looks like it will be another noisy, disruptive weekend. We have listed some of the important information below:

N Judah Shutdown Sept 14th - 17th

Construction begins Friday Sept 14th 7pm to Monday Sept 17th 5am and will continuously work around the clock. (oy)

Work that going to be done during the shutdown:

• concrete placement of the tracks near Sunset Tunnel (east of Cole)
• JACKHUMMERING
• manhole removal and concrete repair
• trolley pole construction 
• more JACKHUMMERING

Street closures and parking restrictions:

• no parking will be allowed on either side of Carl from Stanyan to Cole
• driveways on the north side of Carl St from Stanyan to Cole will be blocked by construction for the duration of the shutdown.
• no parking on Carl St for approx 150ft in both directions of 375 Carl (between Hillway and Willard)
• no parking will be allowed on Carl St for approx 250ft east of Cole St.

Got Questions?! SHIMMICK Construction has gladly given you their phone number if you have any questions or concerns. 
Jeremiah Kent (Project Manager): 510-817-0729


Got photos or complaints? Share them with us all this coming weekend on Twitter by using the hastag #sfmtacarl!