9/30/09 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Department of Public Works (DPW) is breaking ground on street resurfacing projects funded by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Construction work has started on several projects, including along Jones Street, which began this week.

“Thanks to these federal stimulus dollars, we’re able to make the streets in San Francisco a little less bumpy and take some of the strain off drivers in the City,” said Mayor Newsom. “In addition, these projects are creating jobs, helping to jumpstart our local economy and preserving one of our most vital assets, our infrastructure.”

DPW applied and successfully received federal stimulus funding totaling $13.5 million. Renovations include roadway reconstruction, sidewalk curb and curb ramps improvements along these streets. The six projects that are and will be under construction this Fall are:

• Jones Street which started September 2009 (between California and Market)
• Geary Boulevard Street intersections at 19^th, 20^th, 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd Avenues started September 2009,
• Divisadero Street started September 2009 (between Waller and Geary),
• Turk Street begins October 2009 (between Van Ness and Market),
• 7^th Avenue begins October 2009 (between Lincoln Way and Laguna Honda); and
• Bush Street begins November 2009 (between Van Ness and Presidio).

“These grants ensure that we continue to invest in our infrastructure and most important, help to maintain and preserve the local workforce,” said Ed Reiskin, Director of Public Works. “These monies allow us the opportunity to repair and renovate transportation arteries that have deteriorated over the years.”

During construction at these various locations, local access to businesses and properties will be maintained at all times; however parking will be temporarily removed along these streets and adjacent streets. Visitors to the area should observe signs for detailed information regarding the ‘no-parking’ times and dates. During construction, traffic impacts are expected to be kept to a minimum, as vehicle traffic will be available throughout the project. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. For more information on these projects and other construction activities throughout the neighborhood, visit www.sfgov.org/dpw.

In addition to these one-time stimulus funds, the City recently sold Certificates of Participation (COPs) to fund DPW’s resurfacing and infrastructure improvement programs. The sale of the COPs will provide $33 million of the $43 million budgeted for the repair and rehabilitation of curb ramps, sidewalks, street structures, and streets citywide for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The remaining $10 million will come from local and state taxes. Certificates of Participation are a financing strategy used by governments to pay for capital improvement projects.

To get more information about projects awarded under the ARRA in San Francisco, go to www.recoverysf.org.