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Release date: Jan. 5, 2012

*** Press Release ***

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which oversees all surface transportation in the city, including the Municipal Railway (Muni), this week begins a year-long escalator maintenance program that will cover three locations: Church Street Station, Hallidie Plaza at Powell Station and Van Ness Station.The project will start by replacing the north side escalator at Church Street Station.

The work at Church Street Station will last for approximately three months, during which time the north side escalator will be out of service. Customers can use the elevator or the south side escalator if needed.

• Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• The stairs next to the escalator will still be accessible.
• The contractor will use an area at mezzanine level close to the escalator to stage parts and materials.

The first phase of the Muni Metro Subway Escalator Rehabilitation project will renovate five escalators at three subway stations within 12 months:

• Church Station: North side escalator from mezzanine to surface
• Hallidie Plaza at Powell Station: Both the up and down escalators from the plaza to the cable car turnaround.One up escalator will always be in service.
• Van Ness Station: Both the northwest and southeast escalators from mezzanine to surface. One up escalator will always be in service.

The approximate down time for each escalator upgrade is three months.

Schedule and sequence:

1. Church Street Station                                 January to March
2. Hallidie Plaza-first escalator                      March to May
3. Hallidie Plaza-second escalator               May to August
4. Van Ness Station-first escalator                August to October
5. Van Ness Station-second escalator         October to January

The cost of this initial phase is $7.38 million, funded by Proposition K local sales tax dollars and federal funds. The new escalators will provide a marked improvement over the 30-year-old versions they replace. The new models will be energy-efficient, easier to monitor for repairs and use new materials that make them easier to keep clean. Planning has started for the next phase of this project, which is expected to proceed at the end of 2013.

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