Comments on: John Klein: Project CX3 – The Great Grand Avenue Dig of 2009

By: John Klein

John Klein — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:13:33 +0000

To update the CX3 story a little, PG&E et al installed a huge, underground concrete box yesterday at 3rd and Castro Street. I was there along with several media outlets, who published stories about it.

Channel Two’s Tom Vacar submitted a report, http://tinyurl.com/ye5n24y (There’s a short delay before the video starts and you have to sit through an ad.) The Tribune has a story, too – http://tinyurl.com/y8rdlwc

It was pretty interesting to watch.

By: hayhehes

hayhehes — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:42:17 +0000

Fantastic article. I leave in Adams Point and I have to navigate this mess every work day. Its good to finally know whats been going on.

By: Quercki

Quercki — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:21:25 +0000

Great article!
I’d like to see more articles like this one.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:03:02 +0000

If I recall correctly, the CalTrans bldg. needs retrofitting.

By: Robert Zolly

Robert Zolly — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:41:09 +0000

Anyone know why the CAL TRANS building on Grand near Broadway is still undergoing repairs to its steel beams that are uncovered on the lower floor…it sure looks like a typical government delayed project…what is happening and isn’t CAL TRANS embarrassed by the ugly looking facade?

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:37:49 +0000

SF, Construction sites are routinely restricted from general public access, even when they include part of the roadway. This is done for legitimate safety reasons, as anyone who has worked construction will tell you that it is more dangerous than just standing on the sidewalk. Without prior agreements, construction companies tend to be very diligent about the restrictions because of liability issues. If somebody trips over a piece of pipe on the site, the company could be held responsible if they had let people wander through their site without make a reasonable effort to prevent access. The presence of untrained personnel, without proper PPE, also increases the hazards for the construction personnel themselves.

Art is likely correct about who is paying for this service, and it being voluntary overtime.

By: Art

Art — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:06:49 +0000

I don’t know what PG&E’s specific arrangement with OPD is, but I know in general for events or other activities that require added OPD presence, you pay hourly for their services, and in many cases (e.g., special events) it’s voluntary overtime for OPD officers who would otherwise be off-duty. This is obviously a bigger ongoing project, so they may have another arrangement—but I wouldn’t necessarily assume that the City is paying for it or that it’s taking officers away from other responsibilities. Would be curious to know, though!

By: Ralph

Ralph — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:19:23 +0000

I have seen some people do some stupid, such as trying to cross in the middle or cross at closed crossing, along the construction site. At those times it helps to have a public safety officer. From what I have read the presence of police cars alone is enough to reduce reduce driver speed. So if worker safety is a primary concern and if reducing speeding increases safety conditions, then you be able to achieve the same effect with an unmanned car.

Personally, I am cool with having the police presence. One of the few times, I know I have police coverage.

In at least one state in the union, there has been a push to use non-police safety personnel.

By: Eric Fischer

Eric Fischer — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:45:45 +0000

In addition to the old marsh at Grand and Harrison, Harrison is also about twice as wide as it once was, expanded on landfill over what used to be part of Lake Merritt.

By: SF2OAK

SF2OAK — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:26:29 +0000

One can understand the need for worker safety but one has to wonder if this is the most cost effective/ public safety arrangement for the citizens of Oakland. Do we lose an officer on patrol because of this? It is disturbing to hear the they ran you Mr. Klein off what presumably is a public right of way – of course they can use the excuse of safety but for taking photos? How unsafe were you. And we still don’t know who is paying for this, but I thank you for the responses and for your write up Mr. Klein.