Highway 99 tunneling update: ‘Demonstration period’ over; Viaduct closure getting closer

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

Another Highway 99 tunnel update from WSDOT this afternoon. This time, the state has told its contractor, according to the update, “that they could continue mining to a planned maintenance stop near Yesler Way. The notification came as STP completed the 25-ring demonstration period that was put in place when mining resumed on Feb. 23. The underground maintenance stop is approximately 120 feet north of the tunneling machine’s current location near South Washington Street. The machine has traveled a total of 1,437 feet and the bored section of the SR 99 tunnel is now 15 percent complete.” That maintenance stop is where, WSDOT says, the machine could undergo “several weeks” of work before it gets ready to tunnel beneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct, which will be closed for about two weeks as a precaution while the machine is beneath it.

In case you missed our coverage, WSDOT reps briefed the West Seattle Transportation Coalition on the closure plan last month; they expect to set a closure date with about two weeks’ warning.

Robert March 7, 2016 (1:35 pm)

I was so hoping they could do the closure during part of the Seattle schools spring break (April 9-17) – seems like that would help congestion somewhat.

Jissy March 7, 2016 (5:16 pm)

Robert: you silly, that would mean anyone there would give a damn about it being the least bit painless as possible!!

KT March 7, 2016 (5:25 pm)

Exactly.

JayDee March 7, 2016 (6:05 pm)

I am wondering why Bertha (and I am a general supporter even if STP seems to have issues pouring urine out of a boot with the instructions on the heel) has to make a maintenance stop after 150 to 200 feet of travel. Sounds like a political stop to me to see if STP has figured it out before Bertha runs under the viaduct.

AMD March 7, 2016 (7:59 pm)

I believe this next stop has been planned since the beginning. It’s for general maintenance before they dive under the city.

David March 7, 2016 (8:14 pm)

This is a PLANNED stop, it’s in the contract. Regardless of whether or not there were ANY problems it was ALWAYS going to stop here. It’s the point before they dive under the viaduct and then under the city, so they want to double check nothing is wrong before then (sensible, very very very sensible). So…to put it in perspective…the only thing that happened in the machine broke (blame the manufacturer). Sucks but that happens. Cars break, stoves break, computers break. It was fixed, it seems fine now. Project moving on.

WenG March 7, 2016 (8:30 pm)

Is this the “warranty” stop, beyond which Hitachi is no longer responsible?

WSB March 7, 2016 (8:42 pm)

We discussed that here two months ago.

https://westseattleblog.com/2016/01/video-highway-99-tunneling-machine-breaks-out-of-the-pit/#comment-2010774

-TR
- WenG March 8, 2016 (12:24 pm)
  
  That’s why I’m asking. By which measurement do we reach 200 rings?
  
  “we’ll see whether it’s 1300, 1500, or who knows. – TR” or
  
  “I did find WSDOT’s website had an update statement about the warranty
  being the “200th ring” in early December 2013 though. Today they said
  it moved 73 ft over 12 rings, which puts a ring at a shade over 6 ft.
  200 rings would then be ~1,200 ft for the warranty. – Chemist”
  - chemist
    January 7, 2016 (9:53 pm)
    
    I don’t think the state ever owns it under a design build. Maybe
    we get the scrap when it’s all done, but I bet even that is property of
    STP to see if they can salvage.
    
    I did find WSDOT’s website had an update statement about the warranty
    being the “200th ring” in early December 2013 though. Today they said
    it moved 73 ft over 12 rings, which puts a ring at a shade over 6 ft.
    200 rings would then be ~1,200 ft for the warranty.
  - WSB March 8, 2016 (12:34 pm)
    
    My linked comment is a quote directly from the spokesperson for the project, and I am asking her how many rings the machine has built. Will add the reply here when I get it.
    - WenG March 8, 2016 (12:41 pm)
      
      http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/library/advisories-and-updates/march-7-project-update-demonstration-period-complete-mining-continues
      
      “The underground maintenance stop is approximately 120 feet north of the
      tunneling machine’s current location near South Washington Street. The
      machine has traveled a total of 1,437 feet.” 1,557 feet.
    - WSB March 8, 2016 (12:48 pm)
      
      Laura says she doesn’t have a current number but can confirm it’s built more than 200 rings.

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