Another Day, Another Crack in the Transit Center

SAN FRANCISCO—During the initial round of inspections, a second fissure was found at the Salesforce Transit Center. Inspections show an additional fissure on an adjacent beam at the Fremont Street location, but it is not clear to what extent that crack poses a problem.

The Transbay Joint Powers Authority/TJPA provided primary results of the inspections on the steel beams at the transit center. The TJPA is working with general contractor Webcor/Obayashi and structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti to investigate and conduct an exhaustive inspection of all similarly designed locations throughout the center.

Webcor has issued the following statement about the issue: “We are pleased to be part of the team that TJPA has asked to investigate what led to the crack in the steel beam. We are just beginning work and do not have any information about the cause or causes of the issue at this time.”

The TJPA will conduct additional ultrasonic testing at this location to determine the extent of the damage. Inspections on First Street where similar designs exist show no similar issues, but the TJPA will continue to monitor and test this location.

TJPA engineers and contractors are developing a shoring plan for the Fremont Street location to relieve loading on the beams in question to prevent further damage. The TJPA will then design a permanent repair and schedule construction to make those repairs.

“I would like to assure the public this is a localized issue within the transit center and there is no impact to any adjacent properties. Additionally, our current analysis shows that this is contained within the Fremont Street area. The safety of everyone who visits the Salesforce Transit Center is our highest priority and we will work expeditiously to address and rectify this situation,” said Mark Zabaneh, executive director of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority.

The beams in question were manufactured by Stockton, CA-based Herrick Corp. The transit center project required that all steel and iron be manufactured in the United States as part of the project’s federally mandated “buy-American” stipulation. More than a dozen manufacturers were involved in making the 22,000 tons of structural steel for the transit center, which weighs as much as 111 Boeing 747s. The installation of the project’s steel columns, beams and girders was completed in January 2016.

Skanska USA, the engineering firm with the $189 million contract for the structural steel project at the transit center, sued Webcor/Obayashi in May 2018, claiming construction documents were “substantially defective and incomplete,” leading to cost overruns for which the engineering company was not compensated. Webcor-Obayashi has denied the allegations, saying the money Skanska believes was withheld was a result of the steel contractor missing key project deadlines, GlobeSt.com learns.

The team will first address opening Fremont Street as soon as safely possible and then bus operations will follow. Salesforce Transit Center was closed Tuesday after a fissure in one of the steel beams in the ceiling of the third level bus deck near Fremont Street was discovered.

Transit impacts will continue at least through next week and commuters should plan accordingly. Casual carpool drop-off in the South of Market neighborhood may be affected by the Fremont Street closure.   Motorists are asked to avoid driving downtown and transit riders are encouraged to allow extra commute time and call 511 or go to 511.org to get up-to-the-minute transit information.

Transit lines that serve the Salesforce Transit Center are fully operational, but will continue to provide bus service from the temporary Transbay terminal at Howard and Main streets. Ambassadors will remain onsite to direct riders to boarding locations and provide updated transit information.