MYNORTHWEST NEWS

WATCH: How much of Bertha is still standing?

Jul 14, 2017, 4:56 PM | Updated: Jul 17, 2017, 12:08 pm

Bertha is halfway gone as crews are still tearing the machine apart piece-by-piece underneath Seattle.

RELATED: The work that remains after Bertha is done with the tunnel

The massive boring machine’s cutterhead has entirely been removed from the disassembly pit at the north end of the recently constructed tunnel. But the portion of the machine still inside the tunnel is taking longer to tear down. About half of Bertha remains — originally an 8,000 ton machine.

A flurry of purple and white sparks fly inside the tunnel as crews cut through the machine’s steel parts. Each piece is removed out the south end of the passageway.

The roadway inside the new SR 99 tunnel continues to be constructed as the machine is disassembled. The two-level roadway is expected to open in 2019.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

Portage Bay cafe close...

Charlie Harger

Portage Bay Cafe had a strong summer. It’s closing a cafe anyway

Portage Bay Cafe will close one of its restaurants on Sunday, saying the location doesn’t have enough indoor seating to make it through another winter.

19 minutes ago

Coca-Cola KFC Partnership...

Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Cola wars: Coke replaces Pepsi at KFC

A major shakeup is happening at KFC. After more than three decades, the company is changing from Pepsi to Coke.

41 minutes ago

Amazon Seasonal Hiring Workers...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Amazon launches seasonal hiring blitz, aiming to fill 300K jobs

The most wonderful time of the year kicks off seasonal, part-time, and full-time hiring across Amazon's U.S operations. About 300,000 jobs are up for grabs.

1 hour ago

lake washington principal...

Madeline Ottilie, KIRO 7

Lake Washington School District parents question handling of principal complaint

Parents question Lake Washington School District's response to a principal's social media connections with minors, seeking accountability.

2 hours ago

Alaska Airlines nonstop international...

Michael Strite

Alaska, Hawaiian airlines add nonstop service to 2 international destinations

Travelers have more options when flying internationally from Seattle. Alaska Airlines announced Tuesday new nonstop flights are coming in 2027.

2 hours ago

Boeing 737 Max certified...

Josh Funk and Rio Yamat

US certifying Boeing’s largest 737 Max after years of delays, AP source says

The U.S. government is set to announce the certification of Boeing’s 737 Max 10 jet Tuesday after years of delays.

3 hours ago

WATCH: How much of Bertha is still standing?