Crews work to shore up Salesforce Transit Center

Constructions crews are working on preparing a shoring system in the affected area of the Salesforce Transit Center where earlier this week crews found cracks on two steel beams.

Officials with the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, who oversaw the construction of the transit center and manages the center, said the transit hub will remain closed at least through next week as crews work on installing the shoring system that will help provide support and relieve some of the stress from the cracked steel beams.

Two construction workers get off a platform after cleaning up fireproofing material on steel beams at Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, September 28, 2018. Ching Wong/SFBay

The two affected beams help support the 5.4-acre rooftop park.

Fremont Street near the transit hub will also remain closed to traffic over the weekend. Bus commuters will have to continue to use the temporary Transbay Terminal.

Officials said the shoring system will be finalized over the next 24 hours.

On Tuesday, crews found the first cracked beam while installing ceiling panels on third-floor bus deck, said Mark Zabaneh, the executive director of the TJPA.

After contractors and designers looked over the steel beam, officials decided to close the transit center to the public late Tuesday afternoon out of an abundance of caution and to inspect other steel beams.

Pedestrians cross through Fremont Street next to the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, September 28, 2018. Ching Wong/SFBay

On Wednesday, a second cracked beam was found that was adjacent to the first cracked beam, officials said.

Crews to continue to check and monitor other beams at other parts of the transit center and so far have found no other beams with cracks.

The beams that make up the transit center are all made in the United States by seven different companies.

The two cracked beams were made by the Stockton-based Herrick Corp. and provided around one-third of the steel for the project, officials said.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the cracked steel beams.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.

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