Western Segment project nears completion, Tesla Portal project getting underway

The Western Segment of the SFPUC’s San Joaquin Pipeline System project is nearing completion as the contractor, Mountain Cascade, Inc., finishes installing pipeline and final restorations at Highway 580, the California Aqueduct and the Tracy Golf and Country Club.

Please note that full access to the entire SFPUC Right of Way continues to be necessary as the contractor completes tasks in many locations. It is imperative that all adjacent property owners and lessees remove debris, tree trimmings, wood chips, farm equipment and all other belongings from the Right of Way immediately. Absolutely no burning of debris is allowed on the Right of Way at any time.

At Tesla Portal, a smaller construction project is getting underway with Azul Works, Inc., the contractor. The Tesla Portal Protection Project will construct and renovate protective facilities and is expected to be complete by the end of 2012.

Construction Schedule

The Western Segment project is expected to be complete in summer 2012. The Tesla Portal Protection project will begin in early April 2012 and is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2012.

What to Expect

Construction will occur Monday – Friday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM. On occasion, construction may take place outside of these hours. If work could be potentially disruptive, the project team will notify nearby neighbors in advance.

Construction activities will occur within the existing SFPUC Right of Way and at designated staging areas. Neighbors near Vernalis Road may notice additional truck traffic. The contractor has been reminded of the speed limit along Vernalis Road and has been asked to remind crews and staff to drive slowly.

The SFPUC project team is actively coordinating with neighboring landowners, as well as nearby irrigation and water districts, to minimize impacts and disruption to users. Please do not hesitate to call us with concerns or questions at 1-866-973-1476, or leave a comment on this blog post. The SFPUC and the project team appreciate the continued patience and cooperation of our neighbors as our construction projects move forward.

SJPL Eastern Segment construction team prepares for pipeline installation

The SJPL Eastern Segment project, the WSIP's Eastern-most project, has been making great progress at the project sites near Oakdale. The construction team completed test excavations, potholing, environmental surveying and other preliminary construction tasks, as well as structural improvements at the Oakdale Portal, the valve houses and tie-in facilities.

As we move into the Spring season, the team will begin clearing and grubbing on the Right of Way in preparation of major pipeline installation, which is expected to begin in late Spring 2012. Neighbors should expect to see additional truck traffic at the Willms Road gate and Fogarty Road gate entrances. Noise and dust will be maintained at a minimum.

Questions? Comment on this post or call 1-866-973-1476.

Check out these photos of recent project construction activities. As always, we thank our neighbors for their cooperation as we upgrade the Hetch Hetchy Water System!

The team regularly undertakes dust control measures on access roads.

Work continues at the tie-in vault.

Water System Improvement Program achieves safety milestone

At the close of 2011, the SFPUC's Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) achieved a remarkable safety milestone - it reached 2.5 million work hours without a major injury or lost time since April 2009. Using the SFPUC's Think Safety, Work Safely approach, the construction team members on each of the WSIP projects, including each of the San Joaquin Regional projects, have made the construction sites a safe place to work.

Harvey Elwin, manager of the Construction Management Bureau, said, "The SFPUC commends the entire WSIP team for achieving this significant milestone and underscoring the importance of safety on our construction sites each and every day."

Thanks to our project contractors, construction management staff and neighbors for making our construction sites safe!

SJPL Western Segment completes work at irrigation crossings

The SJPL Western Segment Project completed work at the El Solyo Water District and West Stanislaus Irrigation District facility crossings in January 2012. These successful crossings were the result of years of coordination and hard work between both parties. The project team would like to thank representatives from both districts for their assistance, as well as all of the neighbors for their support of this critical Hetch Hetchy Water System improvement project.

Happy New Year!

Happy holidays from the SFPUC and the SJPL project team!

Happy holidays from the SFPUC, Hetch Hetchy Water and Power and the entire San Joaquin Pipeline System project! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year from one neighbor to another.

What to expect during the holidays:

Construction will continue as usual, though the contractors are expected to suspend work on the Mondays following the Christmas and New Years Day holidays.

Looking ahead:

The Western Segment project is progressing steadily and is expected to be complete in the Spring of 2012.

The Eastern Segment project got underway in early Fall 2011. Work on concrete vault structures will continue throughout the winter in anticipation of pipeline installation in the Spring of 2012.

Thank you for helping us to ensure the Right of Way is free of debris and personal equipment. Maintaining a clear and accessible Right of Way is critical to swift progress on each San Joaquin Pipeline System project.

Thank you for your ongoing support of these critical Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System projects! Happy holidays!

Construction team continues work on Eastern Segment project

While the majority of pipeline installation on the SJPL Eastern Segment project won't occur until the Spring, the construction teams are busy working on concrete vaults and readying the Right of Way for installation of the new pipeline.

Check out some recent photos of the team installing a new Bridge over Cashman Creek and putting up fencing along the Right of Way.

Thanks for your cooperation and support. Happy holidays!

New photos from the Western Segment construction team

The Western Segment project is making swift progress as the team prepares for the rainy season in the Central Valley.

Check out some recent photos of construction on the Western Segment project! As always, thank you for your cooperation and support of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System and the Water System Improvement Program.