Planning commission opens public hearing on SFPUC Hayward Fault pipeline upgrades draft EIR

Planning staff and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission representatives opened a public hearing on Jan. 28 to receive comments on the draft environmental impact report for seismic upgrades to Bay Division Pipelines 3 and 4 where the lines cross the Hayward Fault.

Carrie Dubzak, EIR coordinator with the Planning Department's Major Environmental Analysis section, said the draft EIR was published Dec. 24 and that the hearing's purpose was to collect oral comments on the adequacy and accuracy of the draft document, not to approve the project. Brian DeSour (project manager for the SFPUC) summarized the technical design: installation of approximately 2,400 linear feet of 72- and 78-inch diameter steel pipe adjacent to existing Beta Division Pipeline No. 3, upgrades to sections of Pipeline No. 4 (slip-lining or concrete reinforcement where lines cross fault traces), and the use of an articulated concrete fault vault with ball and slip joints to allow controlled rotation and movement while maintaining flow following fault offset.

DeSour said portions of the new alignment would run through an oversized culvert installed by Caltrans under Highway 680, with additional work in an articulated vault under Mission Boulevard and the Highway 680 onramps where the greatest fault movement is anticipated. To limit surface traffic disruption, the project proposes temporary bridges and traffic staging. Staff noted the SFPUC will perform final roadway restoration where construction disturbs public rights of way.

Staff emphasized that this hearing solicited comments only on the draft EIR record; written and oral comments will be transcribed and addressed in a formal comments-and-responses document. The public comment period was open until 5 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2010, and a local hearing in Fremont on Jan. 26 had attracted two attendees who did not comment.

Commissioners asked technical questions about the performance of the ball-joint design outside the immediate fault trace and the condition of the remainder of the pipeline; SFPUC engineers said the ball joints at the Hayward Fault trace would accommodate expected offsets while pipeline sections outside the fault zones are expected to perform satisfactorily. No action was taken; staff recorded the hearing and reminded commenters that staff will respond in writing to all comments received.