This weekend in San Francisco, CALTRANS is closing and demolishing Doyle Drive, the ancient and crumbling freeway approach to the Golden Gate Bridge. Last December I approached the contractor with my work shot in the Presidio Pet Cemetery underneath the new freeway, and asked for access to shoot the freeway construction. Much to my surprise, they said yes!
These images are composites of bracketed exposures for balancing the varied volumes of light in the scene. HDR in concept, but hand crafted in execution. They were all shot with full moon and ambient man-made light only. No light painting here.
Approaching the Portal ::::: Presidio Parkway / Battery Tunnel ::::: December 2011
Walking up the new roadway towards the brand new Battery Tunnel. The elevated freeway on the right, Doyle Drive, will be demolished this weekend–with the traffic transferred to this new surface.
Doyle Underbelly ::::: Doyle Drive ::::: December 2011
Looking to the right from the spot of the previous image. This elevated freeway dates all the way back to 1934 and is seismically unsafe and hopelessly inadequate for 21st century traffic density. In the middle distance is the cement plant built especially for this project. This is a seldom seen view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Mouth of the Manta Ray ::::: Presidio Parkway / Battery Tunnel ::::: December 2011
I love the fluid shapes of the tunnel’s mouth. It really does look like a manta ray.
Battery Cones ::::: Presidio Parkway / Battery Tunnel ::::: December 2011
Phase 1 construction has been running at full tilt for several years, with several more years to go on Phase 2. When traffic starts flowing through this tunnel next week, construction will begin on a second tunnel, parallel to this one, where the elevated freeway on the right used to be.
Gentle Curves ::::: Presidio Parkway / Battery Tunnel ::::: December 2011
The view back towards downtown, from the mouth of the tunnel.
Battery Skylight ::::: Presidio Parkway / Battery Tunnel ::::: December 2011
Hiking deep into the tunnel, I found this massive skylight at the center. It will be left open for ventilation during the rest of construction, but once the project is completed, it will be sealed up.
Battery Scissor ::::: Presidio Parkway / Battery Tunnel ::::: December 2011
The west end of the tunnel, looking out towards the brand new viaduct that runs high above the Presidio Stables and Pet Cemetery. I love the long shadows created by the security lights in the center of the tunnel.
Skunk Farm ::::: Presidio Parkway / Battery Tunnel ::::: December 2011
The western entrance. I was standing on the new viaduct to set this up when I had a run in with a skunk! He sprayed towards me, but it was far enough away that I could finish the shot.
The Black Sheeting ::::: Presidio Parkway / Doyle Drive ::::: December 2011
The new viaduct on the right and the old Doyle Drive overpass on the left. A second new viaduct will be constructed in the footprint of the old Doyle overpass.
13 Responses to “The Presidio Parkway Project”