MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle tunnel boring machine needs a name

Oct 23, 2012, 6:13 AM | Updated: 6:21 am

This image shows a central section of the boring machine being assembled. Once assembled it will be...

This image shows a central section of the boring machine being assembled. Once assembled it will be the same size as some of the Washington State Ferry systems largest vessels. (Image courtesy WSDOT)

(Image courtesy WSDOT)

Students across our state will have a chance to name the world’s largest tunnel boring machine.

Next summer, the machine will begin work underneath downtown Seattle making way for the viaduct replacement tunnel.

The Washington State Department of Transportation says it’s tradition to give such machines a name.

“Tunnel boring machine is not the most interesting of names and so we wanted to give the machine a name,” says WSDOT spokesperson Kadeena Yerkan. “Something that’s original and creative and something that has significance to Washington state heritage, life, nature, transportation or even engineering.”

Yerkan says the contest is open to students kindergarten through grade 12.

Entries can be made online at alaskanwayviaduct.org before November 13.

KIRO Reporter Brandi Kruse contributed to this report.

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Seattle tunnel boring machine needs a name