San Francisco County Quarterly Caltrans Update

Welcome to the San Francisco County Caltrans E-Newsletter!

It’s officially fall! Welcome to the San Francisco Autumn/Winter newsletter where you will find news and read stories about exciting developments happening with Caltrans properties, projects, and highways throughout San Francisco County!

Although San Francisco experienced the season in record-breaking heat, by the time you’re reading this, it has likely dissipated to its classic cooler temps. In fact, in this issue you will read about the first Autumn weekend of searing heat here in San Francisco, when Caltrans crews worked around the clock to rehabilitate barrier rails of a much-trafficked connector ramp. You will also discover how San Francisco’s maintenance manager and team forged a special relationship with The Portola Neighborhood Association to transform a barren right of way into a stunning green oasis. In addition, you will read an engaging Q&A with Tom Larwin, Caltrans Project Manager overseeing San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Cable Inspection project currently underway. Also, much, more.

With the school field trips to local museums occurring, the holidays ahead, gala season approaching, and general Winter excitement in the air, let's prioritize safe driving and consider using one of the many public transportation options available into and around San Francisco. When driving please remain vigilant behind the wheel so that every pedestrian, motorist, and cyclist are safe.

Thank you for reading.

--Lori Shepherd, Caltrans Public Information Officer, SF County

A Beautiful Green Oasis in Portola is Blooming!

A picture containing trees, ground, outdoor, plants in San Francisco's Portola neighborhood that was recently transformed into a beautiful community park, called Green Between.

From dumping ground to majestic green neighborhood respite, a two-city block-long stretch along the southbound US 101 freeway sound wall in San Francisco's Portola neighborhood was recently transformed into a beautiful community park. Called Green Between, the project was a partnership between residents and Caltrans Maintenance Manager, Chris Balingit and his team, which made the tranquil retreat a beautiful place to relax and enjoy nature.

According to a neighborhood association member, the project came about after a former Caltrans sound wall in the neighborhood became an illegal dumping ground of old furniture, appliances, and other junk. Over the years the area became an eyesore. However, with the forming of The Portola Neighborhood Association four years ago, a mission to beautify the area became top priority. Members began discussing how the area could be revitalized and set out to reclaim it and do just that. One thing led to another, and then Chris Balingit got involved. His presence and Caltrans maintenance team sparked a vibrant partnership between the association where discussions and ideas about transforming the area flowed.

"The association envisioned a place for shrubs, plants, flowers, and rocks," Chris Balingit said. "But they wanted it to be developed in a pleasing and inviting way. A place where residents would be proud of and would want to visit often." In time the association, volunteers, and with the help of Caltrans maintenance, the area was cleared of years of accumulated junk and debris. Not an easy task.

A picture containing trees, ground, outdoor, plants and sign in San Francisco's Portola neighborhood that was recently transformed into a beautiful community park, called Green Between.

"This was a challenge removing and clearing out the things that had been dumped there through the years," said Maggie Weis, Portola Neighborhood Association co-founder. "But with the help and support of Caltrans providing timber and gravel to help build the terraces and walkways, we were successful in backfilling the area with dirt in order to plant native plants. Finally, the space was beginning to take on the vision we had."

A picture containing trees, ground, outdoor, plants, sign, and gate in San Francisco's Portola neighborhood that was recently transformed into a beautiful community park, called Green Between.

Over time with neighborhood planting parties where residents of all ages came out to participate in the planting of vegetation and with local school children volunteering their time and enthusiasm, Green Between is officially open. Currently hours are limited to several days per week and when it is opened, a majestic wrought-iron gate intricately designed by a local craftsperson welcomes visitor into a beautiful green oasis one can read a book, contemplate the day, sip a latte, or experience any number of peaceful moments in the park. Green Between is adjacent to the charming Hey Neighbor Cafe, and a preschool where children have daily enriching developmental opportunities to play in mud, help water shrubs, place plants into soil and watch them grow to their heart's content. In other words, Green Between is a perfect example of how Caltrans engagement with neighbors helped beautify and transform a neighborhood and community, for generations to come.

A picture of what the area of Green Between looked like before San Francisco's Portola neighborhood that was recently transformed into a beautiful community park, called Green Between.
^{Above image shows the Green Between area before its transformation}

A Grand Slam Honor for Willie Mays

A black and white phot of Willie Mays in San Francisco Giants uniform. When legendary baseball star from the Negro Leagues and later the Major League Baseball, Willie Mays, died last June, he left a stadium capacity level of memories, footage, and stories for fans and baseball enthusiasts to recall and enjoy. Therefore, it was entirely poignant that a section of I-80 after the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge leading to Oracle Park, was renamed Willie Mays Freeway last summer.

Renaming the I-80 section highlights the immense contributions of the former San Francisco Giants star. For one, his memorable performances at Candlestick Park throughout his years on the team cemented the team’s status in the league. Then, Mays’s legendary over-the-shoulder catch in the 1965 World Series raised the bar for outfielders. In fact, that catch still resonates today whenever the topic of baseball, or the argument of who is the best in baseball, or when any heated discussions on what the best moments in baseball was, are being debated. And mind you, that catch happened 59 years ago! Aside from the memorable catch are Mays’s accomplishment, including 660 home runs, 12 Gold Glove awards, and two National League MVP titles in his career.

With Mays’s death, the decision to rename the highway is indeed a fitting tribute to Mays, and it is a warm, final chapter in the life of someone whose achievements on the field led him into baseball's Hall of Fame and forever in the hearts and minds of many San Franciscans and Giants fans.

Why Closing a Connector Ramp is Necessary

Why would Caltrans close a San Francisco Central freeway connector ramp for a full weekend in October? The answer is simple: to repair and strengthen it efficiently and safely.

Many of us regularly drive northbound using U.S. 101 from the peninsula or elsewhere into The City to reach Civic Center or Union Square often take the 101-connector ramp to reach these destinations quickly. What probably isn’t obvious during these treks, is the broken concrete, scraped exteriors and other extensive damage the connector barrier ramp rails have suffered. This damage weakens the integrity of the ramp, making travel less safe. This is why Caltrans recently opted to close the ramp for an entire weekend to make emergency repairs to rehabilitate the barrier rails.

Caltrans crew and equipment making emergency repairs to damaged concrete barriers and tubular railings along the Central freeway connector ramp from northbound US-101 to northbound US-101 Central Freeway as part of the Emergency Barrier Repair Project.

The work occurred during one of the hottest weekends in San Francisco in October. Over two days, Caltrans crews braved 98 degrees searing heat to complete crucial rail repairs on the northbound U.S. 101 connector ramp to the northbound Central Freeway. The decision to close the ramp for the weekend was necessary to apply meticulous planning for around-the-clock Caltrans crews to complete it efficiently and safely. View exciting photos and videos of this work.

Barrier railings are an extremely important element on freeways because they are designed to prevent vehicles from veering off the roadway and they help minimize the impact of accidents.

While freeway closures never come at a good time, Caltrans understood the urgency of the rails condition and prioritized scheduling the project over a less bustling weekend than usual in San Francisco, to minimize commute disruptions during peak hours.

"It was crucial that the repairs were completed quickly, making certain to maintain safety for our crew and motorists as well as ensuring the workmanship standard," said Andrew Yan, Caltrans Construction Manager for the project. "Thankfully, traffic backups around the area were minimal and people driving in, around, and through The City made their way to festivals, games, and other attractions with ease."

Yan said that the weekend schedule made it possible for multiple crews to work together on repairs which involved removing damaged sections of the barrier rails, installing new material, pouring concrete, and reinforcing the structure to prevent future damage. Caltrans maintenance was also able to utilize the ramp closure to address other needed maintenance work. Despite the complexities of the repair work, Caltrans crews remained ahead of schedule for most of the project. The weather conditions were unseasonably hot, but crews stayed hydrated and nourished allowing the teams to maintain a steady pace. By Sunday evening, significant progress had been made, and the final stages of the project were already underway. Originally scheduled to conclude at 5 AM on Monday, October 7, the emergency barrier rail repairs were completed four hours ahead of schedule. The connector ramp reopened shortly afterward making it possible for early Monday morning commuters to SFO, work, school, and other destinations with little disruptions. With this project successfully completed, several additional rail repair projects are being planned for highways 1-80 and U.S. 101 before the end of the year.

Ariel view of traffic going across the Bay Bridge.

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Cable Inspections Underway

Late September, Caltrans launched a major effort to inspect the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge main cables project that will extend into May 2025, to complete. The meticulous process requires crews to traverse the intricate westbound bridge cable structures, to reach the key locations where the inspections are needed. Even though the bridge is safe and secure, and the main cable inspections being conducted are routine inspections, it is always exciting learning about projects involving the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, so we invited Tom Larwin, Caltrans Construction Manager for this project, for an informative Q&A.

We understand the west span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is undergoing inspections. What are these all about and is the bridge safe?
Answer: Yes, the bridge is safe, and Caltrans is committed to keeping it that way. As part of that commitment, Caltrans has initiated a project to investigate various structural components of the west span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, between San Francisco and Treasure Island. These inspections are important for maintaining the strength of the bridge. The bridge is entirely safe, and our current inspection projects are routine inspections to ensure the bridge continues to remain safe. We are also assessing strength of the cables and evaluating wear and tear.
What is the process for crews to achieve this work?
Answer: American Bridge Company the original builder of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, was awarded the contract to perform this work in early 2024. Working side by side with experts in the field from across the country, bridge components are tested for any signs of deterioration. At the tower tops, existing doors are being replaced with new weatherproof doors that can withstand the elements for decades to come.
Before a project of this magnitude is considered, what are some of the factors that must first be considered from your perspective?
Answer: As in all Caltrans projects, a top priority is keeping the workers and public safe throughout the process. Each phase of the project is carefully planned to ensure that the project is executed in a safest manner possible.
Lane closures will be required, correct?
Answer. That’s correct. Project activities will be occurring day and nights, to expedite the work. These closures will generally be in place weeknights on both the Upper (WB80) and Lower (EB80) decks, to provide work access. In the daytime, CHP-assisted rolling blocks will allow workers to access the Main Cable during daytime hours, minimizing the need for WB80 daytime lane closures.
Often it appears Caltrans freeway and road construction are underway on any given day in the city, why are these projects, often disruptive, so necessary?
Answer: There are a variety of projects underway in San Francisco County at any given time. Many are managed by Caltrans and others may be managed by city agencies. Caltrans prioritizes keeping the public safe and ensuring motorists are using on freeways that are secure. With so many San Francisco County and Bay Area commuters, residents, and visitors utilizing vehicles, and public transportation, to the places they need, at times Caltrans will need to close lanes, ramps, and roads to complete the work. It is never a good time to close lanes, ramps, and roads, so when we do, we do it at nonpeak times as much as possible. For this project, lane closures will typically be placed during overnight hours when traffic volumes are lower, to minimize impact to the travelling public.
Is there anything specific you would like motorists and others in the local community, and the public, to understand about planning and implementing Caltrans projects such as the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge cable inspection?
Answer: Work is expected to be completed in by June 2025. However, progress is dependent on various factors, including weather conditions. We look forward to keeping you updated throughout the process.

SFhighwayprojects.com is where to find details about current and upcoming Caltrans projects in San Francisco.

View of San Francisco form the Bay Bridge

Thank you for reading.

The San Francisco County newsletter will be distributed on a quarterly schedule.

For 24/7 traffic updates, please visit 511.org or https://x.com/511SFBay
For real-time information, please visit Caltrans QuickMap: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov