MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Bertha on schedule to resume tunneling by Christmas

Dec 7, 2015, 10:47 AM | Updated: 12:52 pm

Bertha...

Court filings show contractors have filed a $480 million claim with the state to cover the cost of repairing and reinforcing Bertha. (WSDOT)

(WSDOT)

Bertha could resume tunneling before Christmas if work stays on schedule.

Seattle Tunnel Partners Project Director Chris Dixon told the Seattle City Council that crews are in the “final stages” of testing the boring machine that is being pieced together after months of repairs.

“We may be in position to resume tunneling before Christmas,” Dixon said. Whether that happens will be determined by the events that unfold in the next week or so, he added.

Related: WSDOT ‘pretty frustrated’ with yet another Bertha delay

The machine is undergoing a no-load test, which includes rotating the cutterhead and other moving parts. Essentially, crews are making sure it operates as it should, before resuming its journey under Seattle.

Once the machine is given the OK, crews will backfill the emergency repair pit, allowing a full test of Bertha as it moves back into position.

Dixon said repairing Bertha has taken longer than anticipated.

The tunneling machine is expected to reach a planned maintenance site by January. That site will allow crews to run tests on the machine before it continues on.

Dixon said Bertha could be under the Alaskan Way Viaduct by March 2016. Tunneling is expected to be complete by January 2017.

Whether Bertha resumes digging before Christmas or not, Dixon said crews will get some time off during the holiday. The original estimate was it would be on the move Dec. 23.

So how do crews know that the repairs made to Bertha are adequate to address what caused the project to become behind schedule?

Through design and repairs, Dixon said he believes the issues have been addressed. The main repair was to the outer seals.

Dixon would not tell the council exactly what he thinks caused the machine to overheat and lead to such a long delay in the project. The tunnel was originally expected to open in 2015. It is now expected to open April 2018. Bertha broke down in December 2013, about 1,000 feet into its more than 9,000-foot journey from SoDo.

Dixon said attending the council meeting proves his faith in the project.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: Lewis and Clark High School students thought quickly to save their track coach's life....

Julia Dallas

Spokane high school students save track coach’s life after his heart stops

Two Spokane high school students used their quick thinking and past training to save their track coach's life last week.

12 minutes ago

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

12 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

13 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

15 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

15 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

16 hours ago

Bertha on schedule to resume tunneling by Christmas