Pipeline Project Update: What's Going on at Bair Island?

The good news is that the tunnel machine holed through into Receiving Shaft on Inner Bair Island Friday afternoon, which allows for the equipment to be retrieved from the Receiving Shaft and moved to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife parking lot off of Bair Island Road.  At this point of a microtunneling operation, it is normal for a fair amount of water to enter the shaft. The water does not contain sediment so contractors are confident that it is just ground water penetrating the seal.  The water is currently being pumped into the temporary slurry pond on the island and the complexity of the removal has required a 24/7 operation since Friday afternoon and should be completed by mid-week (Nov. 6 or Nov. 7 is the target).   The generator running the pump is a whisper type and has been surrounded with temporary fence with sound blankets to mitigate any noise issues.  But as residents and recreationalists in the area know, the acoustics are such that even conversations at Inner Bair Island can be heard on Bair Island Road and nearby residences.

 The water removal will enable contractors to remove the microtunneling equipment from the shaft; they cannot access it until the water is pumped out and a seal is successfully completed. At that point the equipment will be moved to Bair Island Road. Work will be sidelined Monday, November 4, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. due to high tides as well as Tuesday, November 5, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  due to a concern that salt marsh harvest mice could try to get to high ground and possibly into the work area.  This will delay the contractor’s ability to complete the retrieval of their tunnel machine and trailing gear unit. 

SBSA’s operations on Bair Island will continue in the near future as part of the process to connect pipe from Inner Bair Island north to San Carlos.  Updates will continue to be frequent when there is news to report.

Interested parties should be aware that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife restoration project, under their direction, is continuing.  Access to Bair Island is determined by this agency, and not SBSA.  While SBSA has been working at Inner Bair Island, there have been limitations to accessing SBSA’s construction site.  U.S. Fish & Wildlife has kept portions of the Island open for public access and the gate is unlocked. To learn more about the agency’s access information, logon to their website at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/don_edwards_san_francisco_bay/BairUpdate4.24.2013.html

At that website, you can also learn how to contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife if you have additional questions for them.