Washington State DOT Prepares to Send World’s Largest Tunneling Machine beneath Seattle

AASHTO Journal, 19 July 2013

Washington State Department of Transportation last week announced it will be sending the world’s largest tunneling machine (nicknamed Bertha) underground at the end of the month. In order to “say goodbye” to Bertha, however, WSDOT and Gov. Jay Inslee will be hosting a public celebration at the launch site for the community to get a glance of Bertha before she starts her work under Seattle. Bertha will be forging the way for WSDOT’s State Route 99 Tunnel Project, which will be replacing the former Alaskan Way Viaduct, which was deemed vulnerable to earthquakes.

Bertha stands five stories tall and was built in Japan. She had to be taken apart into more than 40 pieces in order to make the journey across the Pacific Ocean to Seattle.

“This project belongs to the people of Washington,” said Inslee in a statement. “We want to give everyone a chance to see this amazing machine up close before it starts tunneling beneath Seattle.”

The event, held at the launch site just west of CenturyLink Field, will run from 11:30 a.m. through 3 p.m on Saturday, July 20. Participants can talk with project staff to learn about the tunneling operation, get a close look at Bertha from a walkway that spans her 80-foot-deep launch pit, witness a dedication ceremony, and sign their names on one of the concrete segments that will form the tunnel’s walls.

Bertha has her own Twitter account, where she continuously updates her almost 4,000 followers on everything from her journey to the U.S., her upcoming work under Seattle, and most recently, the event on Saturday.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m ready to celebrate, but I really hope no one breaks a bottle over my head. Talk about a painful tradition!” Berta tweeted last week.

The SR 99 tunnel project is expected to cost more than $2 billion, with funding coming from several sources including federal, state, and local partners, money from tolls, and gas tax funds. WSDOT said the tunnel should be open to drivers in late 2015.

Additional information on the SR 99 Tunnel Project is available at AlaskanWayViaduct.org. Those interested can also learn more about Bertha through her Twitter account. ​​

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