Eight-day Twin Peaks tunnel closure starts Thursday. Here’s how to navigate around the closure
As summer vacation ended and students returned to school this week, 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 be closed as crews repair the over-century-old tunnel in two different areas. Transit officials have previously said crews will work on installing tie-rods to strengthen the tunnel’s ceiling and inject grout into areas of the tunnel with loose soil. The closure will last through Aug. 29.
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. The tunnel closure will not impact rail service on the J Church, N Judah and T Third.
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 when the San Francisco Unified School District plans to start its project at West Portal Elementary School.
The school district plans to begin work sometime in the fall to replace eight run-down bungalows with two new buildings. The elementary school sits above the 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 said they will continue to make inspections to evaluate the tunnel’s structure with additional tunnel work expected over the next five to 10 years.
