Construction activities are currently ongoing throughout the entire Third Street Corridor. As of January 31, 2005 the project has spent approximately 63% of the total budget, including soft costs. With construction 58% complete, various contracts are approaching completion. All contracts are currently within budget and most of them are scheduled to complete in time to support the opening to revenue service.

MUNI is now tentatively projecting revenue service in June 2006, due to issues with Segment A. Segment A, the 4th Street Bridge, has been plagued with delays caused by unforeseen site conditions, quality control problems, and the contractor's inability to prosecute the work efficiently. DPW, which is managing the contract, proposed a global agreement to the contractor in an effort to mitigate the issues and deliver the site to MUNI in time for testing and startup. Unfortunately, the negotiations have broken down and, as a result, DPW began assessing liquidated damages at the rate of $25,000 per day starting on April 1 in accordance with the contract.

On March 3, MUNI re-advertised for bids the Metro East Maintenance facility (MME) and bids are expected by mid-April.  

Efforts continue to address environmental concerns along Third Street, and MUNI continues to publish its air monitoring results.   During February 2005, 80% of the tests were below the action threshold.

Completion of the rail line is now scheduled for late 2005, followed by six months of operational and simulated revenue testing leading to the start of revenue service in June 2006.

The Metro East Facility is expected to be ready for move-in in April ‘08.   

Source: San Francisco County Transportation Authority Status Report on the Third Street Light Rail Project, April 5, 2005.