On Oct. 16, Caltrans, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, Representative Nancy Pelosi, and Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez broke ground on Phase II of the Presidio Parkway Project. This will be the final phase of construction for the new Presidio Parkway, which is replacing 76-year-old Doyle Drive to improve the seismic, structural and traffic safety of the heavily used roadway.
Phase II will also be the first transportation project in California to be delivered through a public-private partnership (P3). Under the P3 agreement, the developer, Golden Link Concessionaire LLC, is required to design and build the second phase and be responsible for maintenance and operation of the roadway for 30 years.
“San Francisco’s Presidio Parkway represents so much of what makes our city great: innovative thinking, respect for our natural resources, and beneficial partnerships between the public and private sectors,” said Pelosi. “Today’s celebration marks another milestone in our fight to ensure the infrastructure necessary to create jobs and spur the economy so that our people, goods and ideas can be transported across the bay and around the world safely and quickly.”
Construction of the Presidio Parkway was planned in two major phases to expedite seismic safety, minimize construction impacts, and shorten the overall time of construction. Phased scheduling and $132.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allowed the project to begin in December 2009, more than a year ahead of schedule.
Phase I construction was completed with the transfer of traffic onto a seismically safe temporary bypass in April 2012. Phase I included the southbound high viaduct and battery tunnel, temporary bypasses, and Ruckman Bridge, which connects Highway 1/Park Presidio Boulevard with the new parkway.
During Phase II, the project team will complete construction of all remaining elements of the Presidio Parkway, including a new northern high viaduct and battery tunnel, Main Post tunnels, and the Girard Road interchange. The new design will open up views of San Francisco Bay, create new direct access to the Presidio from Doyle Drive, and enhance pedestrian and cyclist connections within the Presidio.
Construction activities through the end of 2012 include utility identification, installation, and relocation; select tree removal; building deconstruction for salvage and reuse; and demolition of the old high viaduct.
Construction is expected to continue through 2016.
For more information and schedule updates, visit www.presidioparkway.org.
