From SFPUC:

Residents and businesses along 20 blocks of Geary Boulevard in the Richmond now have new water and sewer pipes to reduce the risk of breaks, ensure reliable service, and improve seismic safety. 

And more people will have those benefits soon, as the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) remains right on schedule upgrading 100-year-old water and sewer pipelines along Geary Boulevard from 32nd Avenue to Stanyan Street. 

Construction is dusty, inconvenient, and time-consuming, but if we didn’t replace these aging underground pipes now, the long-term interruptions would be far greater and much more expensive. 

Water and sewer systems are critical to protecting public health and the environment. Everyone needs clean water. Everyone needs functioning plumbing. These systems require maintenance and upgrades.  

Our goal is to get the work done efficiently and safely while keeping the community moving. Anytime we do a project of this size, we plan well in advance to minimize the disruption for residents and businesses.  

Progress Along the Corridor

Working with our local contractor, Cratus, Inc., crews have made major progress in work from 32nd to 12th Avenue (Segment A). Most of the new water and sewer pipelines in this segment are already in service, giving the neighborhood modern, dependable infrastructure that will serve residents and businesses for decades. A few targeted sewer repairs remain and are scheduled for spring 2026, but nearly all underground work in this first segment is complete. Crews also installed fiber-optic conduits to support SFMTA’s long-term safety and transit improvements to the corridor.

Temporary road restoration is underway following utility work. We are also making repairs to curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and parking strips. Final paving and long-term improvements will be completed later through an SFMTA project scheduled for mid to late 2026.   

Construction on the second phase of work from 12th Avenue to Stanyan Street (Segment B) started last June and is steadily making progress. New water lines between 12th and 5th Avenues will improve the reliability of water for homes, restaurants, shops, and offices once they are activated. Crews are also replacing sewer pipes all along Segment B that have been in the ground for more than 100 years. The project included installation of two large sewer junction structures, underground connections that link sewer pipes and help control wastewater flow, at the intersections of 8th Avenue and 6th Avenue, respectively. When the work is finished, the corridor will have a stronger, more reliable system with fewer emergency repairs.

What to Expect During Construction

Parking: Street parking will be temporarily restricted in the project area during construction hours. “No-parking” signs will be posted 24 hours in advance at metered spaces and 72 hours in advance in non-metered spaces. Please see posted signs for exact workdays, hours, and locations. 

Traffic: Lane closures in the project area are necessary to ensure safety of workers and the public. 

Access: Businesses and residents will maintain access to their entrances and driveways, with possible temporary delays. 

Noise: Neighbors should expect some noise, dust, and vibrations. The contractor will abide by the city’s noise, dust, and vibration ordinances, and the SFPUC is independently monitoring noise and vibration levels to ensure compliance. 

Night Work: To avoid disrupting water service for merchants along the Geary corridor, City crews will perform some night work to connect water services to the new pipelines, ensuring minimal impact on businesses operating during daytime hours. 

Muni: Bus stops in active work zones may be temporarily relocated, with signs posted.

Stay Informed: To see the weekly lookahead schedule and sign up for project updates, visit sfpuc.gov/Geary. For questions or comments, please contact us at GearyUpgrades@sfwater.org or (415) 554-3258.

Supporting Local Businesses

Geary’s small businesses are the heart of the corridor. Supporting them during construction helps keep the neighborhood vibrant. The SFPUC continues to work with the project’s Small Business Working Group to stay connected with merchants and help them with their needs during construction. 

In December, the SFPUC and SFGovTV filmed more than 45 local merchants to highlight their stories and the energy they bring to the Richmond District. We look forward to sharing those videos soon on Instagram at @shopdinesf and @mysfpuc. Rediscover the Richmond. Go local. Go Geary!

Businesses interested in joining may email: GearyUpgrades@sfwater.org.

Support Geary Businesses

Learn more at the Geary Boulevard Merchants Association website: https://www.gearyblvd.org.

Geary’s small businesses are the heart of the corridor. The SFPUC continues to work with the Small Business Working Group to support local merchants during construction. In December, the SFPUC met with businesses for an informational session and filmed more than 45 Geary merchants for a video campaign: