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Construction In San Francisco Reaching Critical Mass, Aggravates Drivers

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Whether you like it or not, major construction projects are affecting traffic in the streets of downtown San Francisco.

Former Mayor Willie Brown is calling the Central Subway Project the "Central Circus." He's referring to a major street closure on Stockton near Union Square for the Muni's T-Line extension into Chinatown. In a week the partial closure on Columbus at the north end of the subway dig and it will get even messier for motorists, including Ross a meat delivery man.

"It makes it rough from time to time. It's so random when I come down here to try and figure out what new streets I have to go on, especially with all the one-way streets. Most of them are blocked off now," he said.

SF Municipal Transportation Agency spokesman Paul Rose said 27 new traffic control officers are being hired making a total of 370, but added there's no magic solution to the traffic mess.

KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:

"We're doing the best we can. There are projects that are taking place right now that we have to do the best way possible and work with the community and work with the merchants. A lot of us are looking at this as short-term pain for a long-term gain," Rose said.

Drivers have also been coping with the annual closure of the Broadway Tunnel for its annual cleaning since July 23rd. The maintenance is to repair lighting, re-stripe the roadway and clean the tunnel and goes until August 11th. Work is being done from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to minimize traffic disruption.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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