San Francisco County Transportation Authority
Moving the City

CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

After years of intensive regional coordination, environmental reviews and careful planning, construction of the Presidio Parkway began in December 2009—more than a year ahead of schedule—thanks to exemplary interagency cooperation and an infusion of economic stimulus funds from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Preconstruction work began in summer 2009 and continued through March 2010. Learn more about the site preparation, including tree removal and protection, native plant and seed collection and utility relocation.

There are two major construction phases as part of a strategy to both speed construction and provide more contracting and subcontracting opportunities to small and disadvantaged businesses.

Phase I is underway through early 2012 and consists of a replacement bridge on Highway 1 north of the MacArthur Tunnel and the new southbound Presidio Viaduct, constructed by C.C. Myers. It also includes the first of four short tunnels, the southbound Battery Tunnel, and a temporary bypass constructed by R&L Brosamer. This phase is being delivered through the traditional design-bid-build financial model typically used in California.

Upon completion of Phase I construction in early 2012, Doyle Drive will be closed for a weekend in order to shift traffic onto the newly completed southbound structures and temporary bypass. After this traffic shift, a major project milestone will be achieved with traffic traveling on a roadway that meets today's safety and seismic standards.

Phase II of construction will continue through 2015 to complete the remaining elements of the Presidio Parkway, including the northbound Presidio Viaduct and Battery Tunnel, the Main Post Tunnels and the new Girard Road Interchange with a direct connection to the Presidio. This phase will also include final landscaping.

Under a plan approved in late May, 2010, state officials solicited bids from three private investor groups to take responsibility for completing the second phase of the project in a public-private partnership, or P3, and for maintaining it for 30 years. The Authority and Caltrans estimate the cost to be approximately $488 million, a $147 million savings over the cost of a traditional public works project, with the private investor liable for any cost overruns. On January 3, 2011, Caltrans and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority awarded the public-private partnership agreement to the selected bidder, Golden Link Partners. The next major milestone of the project will be reaching a financial agreement by the early 2012.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Work is wrapping up on the new bridge, tunnel and temporary roadway in preparation to permanently shift traffic off Doyle Drive. The shift will require Doyle Drive to be completely closed for one full weekend sometime in early 2012. During the closure, traffic will be moved onto the completed structures so Doyle Drive can be demolished and the rest of the Presidio Parkway built. A dramatic visual change will result as the bulky, concrete structure is removed revealing views of the Presidio and San Francisco Bay.

SOUTHBOUND BRIDGE. The new southbound bridge falsework has been removed, revealing the bridge design, steel fins, and wide spans. The guard rails are being installed and the fins are being painted International Orange to complement the color of the nearby Golden Gate Bridge.

SOUTHBOUND BATTERY TUNNEL. Falsework has been removed around the portals for the tunnel. These sleek openings complete the tunnel's reinforced concrete roof structure and add to the visual aesthetics of the new roadway. Work is now underway to complete the tunnel's electrical, mechanical and support systems.

TEMPORARY ROADWAY. The temporary roadway has been striped, the guardrails have been installed, and the traffic lights at the new Marina and Richardson/Lombard intersection are in place. Sections of Doyle Drive must be demolished in order to connect the bypass to the tunnel. This will occur during the Doyle Drive closure weekend.

A LOOK AHEAD

A historic event is on the horizon: Doyle Drive is coming down! Traffic will be permanently taken off the seismically deficient Doyle Drive and moved onto the new southbound bridge and tunnel and a temporary roadway. In order to move traffic onto the temporary bypass, Doyle Drive will be closed for one full weekend (late Friday to early Monday) targeted for early 2012. The exact dates of the closure will be announced as construction progresses and are dependent on reaching critical construction milestones. Visit the weekend closure page on the Presidio Parkway web site for the latest information.

Presidio Parkway Web site