Bertha looks like a tunneling machine again
Sep 8, 2015, 10:52 AM | Updated: Sep 9, 2015, 1:00 pm
(WSDOT image)
(WSDOT image)
Bertha, the world’s largest tunneling machine currently stuck below Seattle’s waterfront, has her winter coat.
The tunneling contractor, Seattle Tunnel Partners, has lowered three large pieces of the machine’s front shield into the access pit to be reassembled.
A massive crane lowered two 98-ton pieces into the pit last week. On Friday, the 278-ton middle shield was lowered.
Crews will begin reassembling Bertha’s shields and then conduct testing before she can begin drilling.
The tunneling machine hasn’t actually moved since December 2013. Repairs began in March. Seattle Tunnel Partners said in July it expects to fire Bertha back up on Nov. 23.
Bertha is only one-tenth of the way into completing the 1.7-mile tunnel.
