Speaking of pits: Hwy. 99 tunnel-machine-access digging resumes

For the first time in more than two weeks, we have an official update on Seattle’s most closely watched pit – the one intended to reach the Highway 99 tunnel machine, so its cutterhead can be retrieved and repaired. WSDOT published the update this afternoon, saying that its contractor Seattle Tunnel Partners resumed digging today, and that: “Settlement levels near the pit have remained stable for more than six weeks.” The pit is 3/4 of the way to the 120-feet depth at which STP says it will pour a platform for the front of the machine to rest on, after it is turned back on to advance a short distance into the pit. Timeline? Nothing new yet, says WSDOT; you might recall, the most recent ballpark-guess tunnel-opening date was August 2017.

P.S. Reminder that seawall-and-tunnel-related work downtown will result in access changes at Colman Dock and Water Taxi Pier 50 starting tomorrow.

GWG January 8, 2015 (3:34 pm)

Let’s see how fast they can fill this pit with our taxpayer dollars!

jissy January 8, 2015 (5:54 pm)

I think of just one word looking at this picture: Flush!

Rick January 8, 2015 (7:15 pm)

Isn’t it fun when you can play with others money?

villagegreen January 8, 2015 (7:33 pm)

Man, for a successful and wealthy city we sure seem to be full of defeatists.

Rick January 8, 2015 (9:57 pm)

Yet for the sticks and stones. I feel defeated.

cj January 9, 2015 (9:18 am)

The other comments and my own concern for this project and the city leads me to a one word thought. FLUSH!

wetone January 9, 2015 (11:09 am)

I hope they got the pit close enough to Big B for her servicing as she has sat a while and might not want to wake up and crawl to her pit : ) The more I look at old maps of the area from late 1800’s the more I just have to laugh at this project.
As far as being a successful and wealthy city, a few years from now we will see how true that statement holds. With the irresponsible spending habits and bad growth planning from our city leaders I just can’t wait for the soon coming gridlock traffic, big tax increases along with tolls to cover their blunders. This city today can’t even fix pot holes on our worn roads, every time it rains the fixes wash away just like our tax dollars.

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