Just in time for students return to school, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will close the Twin Peaks Tunnel for one week starting Thursday to make near-term repairs outlined in a report the agency commissioned earlier this year.
West Portal and Forest Hill stations will not be open as crews repair the 104-year-old tunnel in two different areas. Transit officials have previously said crews will install tie rods to strengthen the tunnel’s ceiling and inject grout into areas of the tunnel with loose soil. The closure will last until Aug. 29, the SFMTA said.
San Francisco Unified School District students returned to classes on Aug. 16, while City College of San Francisco students’ first day of class was Aug. 19. San Francisco State University students return to campus Monday, Aug. 26.
During the eight-day closure, Muni bus shuttles will run on the K-Ingleside and M-Ocean View between Balboa and Church stations, including making stops at Castro station. S-Shuttle trains will run between Castro and Embarcadero stations. The L-Taraval bus route will extend from the San Francisco Zoo to Church station. Rail service on the J-Church, N-Judah and T-Third will be unaffected by the tunnel closure.
SFMTA spokesperson Michael Roccaforte said that there were several factors in choosing the dates for the closure, including avoiding large events, the availability of the contractor and completing the necessary repairs ahead of another project by the San Francisco Unified School District.
The school district plans to begin work at West Portal Elementary School to replace eight run-down bungalows with two new buildings. The school sits above the Twin Peaks Tunnel.
Transit officials have repeatedly said that the tunnel is safe for passengers and for its employees. The report from the engineering firm, HNTB, recommended some of the repairs be completed within the next six months.
After the repairs are completed, the SFMTA will continue to make inspections to evaluate the tunnel’s structure with additional tunnel work expected over the next five to 10 years, the SFMTA said.
