Folsom Streetscape project ahead but hit with utility conflicts and event sequencing that may add ~ $1.5M and two months

Project manager Carol Huang presented an update on the Folsom Streetscape Project at the Feb. 27 Public Works Commission meeting, reporting the contract award, scope, construction progress and coordination challenges.

Huang said the project was awarded on Nov. 3, 2023 at $34,979,747.50 with a construction duration of 950 calendar days and a notice to proceed issued on March 11, 2024. The corridor covers Folsom Street between Second and Eleventh Streets (about 20 blocks) and is funded primarily by SFMTA with federal, state and local funds, with SFPUC and Public Works contributing for utilities and resurfacing.

The project includes a two‑way cycle track, new medians, curb ramp upgrades, sidewalk widenings, signal modifications and pedestrian improvements, street lighting, wastewater and drainage upgrades, transit improvements, street trees and decorative crosswalks. Huang said the work was developed with community partners including the Tenderloin/Yerba Buena and SoMa cultural districts and community benefit districts.

Huang reported that crews have completed sewer lining, a 24‑inch sewer open trench between 7th and 8th Streets, substantial underground traffic signal and streetlight work and other utilities upgrades. During excavation the team uncovered an unrecorded 230 kV high‑voltage duct bank running atop the brick sewer in front of Moscone Center — a condition that deviated from record drawings and required coordination with PG&E.

Huang said unforeseen utility conflicts, coordination with adjacent projects, and sequencing changes for large events (Folsom Street Fair, NBA All‑Star, Dreamforce and other major events) have created additional costs and time; she estimated roughly $1,500,000 in added cost (less than 5% of project value) and approximately two months of schedule impact to date. She said the team is pursuing reimbursement from franchise holders such as PG&E for conflict‑related costs where appropriate and is coordinating with stakeholders to resequence work to minimize disruption during events.

Commissioners asked about magnitude and timing of impacts. Huang said the estimate is preliminary while the team formalizes change orders and that the contract award price was below the original engineer’s estimate; she said more detail would be provided as change orders are finalized. SFMTA project manager Allen Uy said the agencies have worked with merchants and supervisor offices and maintained a public project website and subscription list for updates.

Huang said the work is roughly 11 months into construction and anticipated final completion will occur within the original multi‑year scope but with the noted incremental cost and time impacts under review; she offered to return with further updates as changes are formalized.

Public comment on the update was opened and no callers were recorded in the transcript.