The adventure of Bertha the tunnel-boring machine, already two years behind schedule, has a new twist.
Mike Lindblom reports: "Gov. Jay Inslee ordered Highway 99 tunnel contractors Thursday to suspend drilling the deep-bore tunnel along the Seattle waterfront, until a sinkhole that formed this week is fully investigated."
Though the sinkhole has been filled, ground above the Bertha tunnel-boring machine is continuing to sink, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). "But in calling for the work to stop, the governor aired the worry shared by many citizens — that if Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP) continues to dig too much soil as Bertha proceeds north, the viaduct and downtown buildings could be threatened," according to Lindblom.
The article includes details about how the steps the state is taking to inspect the project while its suspended. The state's actions reflect a new twist in its relationship with contractors on the project. More also can be found on the document announcing the suspension of the project.
FULL STORY: Inslee orders tunnel dig halted as soil sinks above Bertha
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research