The SFMTA announced yesterday that they have begun road work for the 5 Fulton Muni bus route on Fulton Street between 8th and 32nd avenues.
The work will include putting the electrical feeder cables that power the trolley buses for the route underground. This will provide a major upgrade to the route improving the safety and reliability of the Muni 5 Fulton. Muni anticipates the work will take one year to complete.
The work will start from 32nd Avenue and advance block-by-block to 8th Avenue (23 blocks total). The project will furnish and install the underground traction power ductbank that will house the conduit and the feeder cables underneath Fulton.
In order to install the ductbank, crews will dig a three to five-foot-wide trench on in the eastbound center lane. Crews will take approximately one week to complete ductbank installation on for each block.
For the majority of its trolley routes and some light rail vehicle lines, Muni has had the electric feeders, which provide electricity to the overhead contact wires, installed underground to increase the longevity of the feeders and make them easier to maintain.
The Fulton project also entails replacing deteriorating overhead poles and constructing 19 curb ramps at seven intersections.
There will be no interruption to 5 Fulton service during the project, but drivers and bikers should expect partial lane closures around the construction. Street parking may be temporarily restricted in and around the construction areas as well (“No Parking” signs will be posted).
For those that live along those blocks of Fulton Street, expect some noise daily during weekdays from 7am to 5pm when construction is taking place.
Sarah B.
Does this mean the overhead wires will be removed?
@hello – I had the same confusion when I read the release, but no, it just means that the wires that power the overhead system originate from underground (they call these the feeders), then presumably run up poles, and then over the streets. Trolleys will continue to run with wires!
Sarah B.
“…but drivers and bikers should expect partial lane closures around the construction…”
So what else is new with Muni? They usually take up at least 3 lanes of traffic as it is.