Today’s Highway 99 tunnel-project update: Pit-digging to resume

(WSDOT photo from last week – assembly of what’s meant to lift tunnel-machine head from pit)
After Monday’s City Council session looking at the latest tunnel-related troubles (WSB coverage here), council president Tim Burgess declared it’s too late to turn back now. So, with no new settlement reported, onward it will go. WSDOT‘s tunnel update for today, just published here, says their contractor Seattle Tunnel Partners has the go-ahead to continue digging the pit from which they hope to pull up the tunnel machine’s damaged cutter head:

Excavation was stopped at WSDOT’s direction on Dec. 12. While no significant ground settlement had been observed since Dec. 5, we suspended excavation to give our team time to gather more survey data and review STP’s contingency plan for turning off the dewatering wells, should that become necessary. We have now reviewed STP’s plan and gathered additional data from the weekend that shows the recently measured settlement has stabilized.

The digging stopped about three-quarters of the way down to where they hope to reach the machine. The red lifting device is under construction (photo above) feet from the Viaduct, roughly parallel with King Street.

Bertha Schmertha December 16, 2014 (5:03 pm)

“It’s too late to turn back now”. Wow, that sounds like a ringing endorsement for continuing with the tunnel project!

Tbone December 16, 2014 (5:23 pm)

‘What? Me worry?’
-Alfred E Neuman

Because what could possibly go wrong with continuing to dewater and dig?

I have a worse case scenario I imagine and it is this; they continue digging and the viaduct continues to sink and eventually it will be deemed too hazardous for traffic/is condemned with no contingency plan… I love West Seattle, but I don’t imagine myself living here much longer…

WS Wanderer December 16, 2014 (5:37 pm)

I was thinking the same thing, Bertha Schmertha.

Just wow.

dsa December 16, 2014 (6:47 pm)

“The tunnel project is 70% completed, according to WSDOT, so there’s no turning back at this point.”
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That one is not screwed on straight.

pupsarebest December 16, 2014 (7:31 pm)

Tick…
tick….
tick….

engineer December 16, 2014 (9:32 pm)

The ground subsidence stopped because they stopped digging! It does not mean the problem is over or won’t resume.

SomeGuy December 17, 2014 (5:58 am)

Many of you will find this interesting:

http://grist.org/politics/seattles-unbelievable-transportation-megaproject-fustercluck/?utm_content=buffer42e22&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Michelle December 17, 2014 (9:52 am)

Oh geez, this sounds like the “too big to fail” folks.
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I have hated the tunnel option since it was first bandied about. I will hate the tunnel for the rest of my days. I truly do hate it so hard.

John M. December 17, 2014 (10:19 am)

“70% completed”??!! Is this some of that new math I’ve heard about?

WSB December 17, 2014 (11:01 am)

From an earlier comment thread, how WSDOT explained the “70 percent complete” when I asked for clarification:
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https://wsb.blackfin.biz/2014/12/alaskan-way-viaduct-update-no-continued-settlement/#comment-1776711

Bill on Duwamish Head December 17, 2014 (12:20 pm)

Perhaps 70 percent refers to the amount of funds that have been spent already, not work completed.

WSB December 17, 2014 (12:24 pm)

If you follow the link, it has details. Basically: The work isn’t just what has been dug and lined. They also have built, WSDOT says, ALL the tunnel liners, and other components that are just waiting to be put into the tunnel space.

M December 17, 2014 (1:11 pm)

As Dominic Holden said in the Stranger yesterday, WSDOT saying the project is 70% complete is like saying that the Donner party made it 70% of the way to California.

pilsner December 17, 2014 (9:30 pm)

Peeps need to relax. There’s no use in complaining about it. They will do what they want, you cant fight it.
And just let the viaduct sink, then case it. Ta Da!! Tunnel. Then build another viaduct on top.

Ding Batuss Maximi December 18, 2014 (5:51 pm)

Not to worry,we have it under control. We the council members will continue to waist your money playing in our pit of slurry, dead horses and trash. When the city collapses around our ears, we will gladly raise taxes, toll I5 and ticket for excessive flatulence. We have a plan people, that’s all you need to know.

Please continue with your blind complacency and know that your fine representatives have YOUR best interest in the forefront of our minds.

Sorry, comment time is over.