Touchdown, Bertha! Tunneling machine’s cutterhead now cradled

(From WSDOT’s project-site cameras)
After getting a day-and-a-half ride up from the pit and over to the cradle, the Highway 99 tunneling machine’s 2,000-ton cutterhead is now in place for repairs. The big red crane isn’t done with its work, though, according to the newest update on the project website:

… Crews will continue disassembling the machine’s 2,000-ton front end in the coming days, using the massive red crane that completed yesterday’s lift to arrange pieces on the repair site. Repair work will take place south of the pit beneath a large canopy that will soon be moved into place to protect the workers and machine pieces from the elements. …

No snags reported in the lifting process; if repairs are snag-free too, tunneling could resume by late summer.

6 Replies to "Touchdown, Bertha! Tunneling machine's cutterhead now cradled"

  • burglarbustindad March 31, 2015 (4:07 pm)

    We can’t predict the future, but …
    -These contractors have constructed amazing tunnels and roadways in Europe
    -These contractors have a performance bond that insures the completion of this contract
    -These contractors may have a claim for differing site conditions, we have a counterclaim for their late performance
    -These contractors have one of the largest companies in the world on the hook for the tunneling machine performance
    I look forward to our new Seattle waterfront.. if I can still pay my property taxes when I visit

  • H March 31, 2015 (6:20 pm)

    Truthfully I’ve been amazed at what I can see of the work being done while my bus drives by.

  • me March 31, 2015 (7:07 pm)

    Amazing technology, effort and intelligence directed in a totally crazy direction.

  • William Curtin March 31, 2015 (9:37 pm)

    If we can tunnel the English Channel then we can tunnel anywhere yes man made that!

  • Bertha DeBlues (@BerthaDeBlues) March 31, 2015 (11:31 pm)

    I’m apparently a football-playing infant (well, I AM only 2 years old. Almost 3). I’m frickin’ AMAZING!

    @BerthaDeBlues

  • Dustoff April 13, 2015 (10:39 am)

    Only Seattle. Not to worry folks, by the time they finish this hole. The poles will have melted and this whole mess will be under water.

    Just like Calif. Wasting money it’s something they excell at the best.

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