After a period of closure due to the extensive Central Subway construction, Stockton Street between Geary and Ellis Streets is once again open to traffic, marking a significant milestone for San Francisco. This crucial segment of Stockton Street, a vital artery connecting Union Square to Market Street, sits directly above the future Union Square/Market Street Station, the largest station on the new subway line. The reopening of Stockton Street promises to ease traffic congestion and revitalize the area for both commuters and local businesses.
The newly reopened Stockton Street, effective from Friday, February 22nd, allows for the reinstatement of previous routes for the 8, 8AX, 8BX, and 91 OWL Muni lines starting Monday, February 25th. This return to the original alignments on lower Stockton Street and 4th Street is welcome news for public transit users. Commuters can anticipate saving approximately five minutes on their journeys between Chinatown and SoMa, extending to Visitacion Valley, significantly improving daily commutes. Local merchants along Stockton Street are also optimistic, viewing the reopening as a positive step towards the completion of construction and the return to normalcy.
For long-term Muni riders, the memory of the 45 Union/Stockton and 30 Stockton trolley bus routes utilizing lower Stockton Street and 4th Street is still fresh. These trolley bus routes are also slated to resume their former alignments later in the year, once construction progresses further in the vicinity. The phased reopening of Stockton Street reflects the careful and ongoing progress of the Central Subway project, aiming to minimize disruption while delivering crucial transit upgrades.
Union Square/Market Street Station: A Hub Beneath Stockton Street
The Union Square/Market Street Station, situated beneath Stockton Street, is poised to become the busiest station within the Central Subway system. Strategically located in the heart of San Francisco’s premier retail and hotel district, this station is designed with unique features to enhance connectivity. The station’s northern entrance seamlessly integrates into the southeast corner of Union Square, while the southern end offers a direct connection to the existing Powell Street Station. This integration will provide passengers with swift access to other Muni lines and BART, creating a seamless transit experience. An underground walkway facilitates easy passage between entrances and down to the train platform, ensuring efficient passenger flow within the Stockton Street station complex.
The construction of the Union Square/Market Street Station, located under Stockton Street, presented significant engineering challenges due to its scale and complexity. The “cut and cover” method, employing a “top-down” or “bottom-up” approach, was utilized for this segment. This technique involved constructing a robust box frame structure within a carefully excavated trench. Following construction, the entire section beneath Stockton Street was backfilled and sealed from above, ensuring structural integrity and street-level restoration.
In a collaborative effort with the Union Square Business Improvement District and local businesses along Stockton Street, a community-focused initiative emerged during the holiday seasons. Each year, construction crews temporarily halted work to clean up and reopen Stockton Street for the highly anticipated “Winter Walk” event. This beloved celebration transformed Stockton Street into a pedestrian-friendly zone brimming with vendors, food trucks, live performances, and family-oriented activities, showcasing the resilience and vibrancy of the Stockton Street area even amidst construction.
Central Subway Project: Transforming Transit Beyond Stockton Street
The Central Subway Project is a transformative initiative designed to revolutionize public transportation in San Francisco by extending the Muni Metro T Third Line through SoMa, Union Square, and Chinatown. By establishing a direct and rapid transit connection between downtown and the existing T Third Line on 3rd Street, the Central Subway will significantly improve accessibility to and from some of the city’s most bustling and densely populated areas. The reopening of Stockton Street is a tangible step towards realizing the broader benefits of this project.
Upon completion, the Central Subway will enable T Third Line trains to operate primarily underground from the 4th Street Caltrain Station to Chinatown. This underground route will bypass the heavily congested traffic on 4th and Stockton Street, offering a faster and more reliable commute. The project encompasses the construction of four new stations along its 1.7-mile alignment, including the key Union Square/Market Street Station on Stockton Street:
- 4th and Brannan Station (street level)
- Yerba Buena/Moscone Station (subway)
- Union Square/Market Street Station (Stockton Street, subway)
- Chinatown Station (subway)
For more comprehensive information about the project, please visit SFMTA.com/CentralSubway. The reopening of Stockton Street is not just a return to normalcy, but a step forward in enhancing San Francisco’s transportation infrastructure and the vibrancy of key areas like Stockton Street and Union Square.
