 This week we share a look into the eight-foot diameter tunnel!
 Crews place multiple pipes in a tight space within the recently completed eight-foot diameter tunnel.
Tunneling was recently completed on our eight-foot diameter tunnel, which connects our Fremont and Queen Anne sites. As crews work to finalize this portion of the project, we thought we’d share what’s happening inside our smaller tunnel.
Think of our eight-foot diameter tunnel as a nesting doll, but instead of cute smaller dolls emerging one after another, there are different sized pipes lying next to each other. All pipes serve an essential function in the system. These pipes include:
- A 30-inch diameter forced air duct to move air into the odor control facility in Fremont. No foul smells here!
- Two stormwater conveyance pipes to accommodate different storm event sizes, which have different velocity and capacity needs:
- A 42-inch diameter conveyance pipe will carry stormwater and sewage under the Ship Canal and into the storage tunnel during large storm events
- An 18-inch diameter conveyance pipe will carry stormwater and sewage under the Ship Canal and into the storage tunnel during smaller storm events
Crews will grout between all pipes before removing the support structures. The grout will reinforce pipes for the long term, even in the case of a seismic event.
To learn more about the project, visit our project website. We also continue to update our Flickr albums with construction photos.
 Inside the eight-foot diameter tunnel at the Fremont site, different interior pipes are installed.
MudHoney
Our 18-foot diameter tunnel boring machine has tunneled over 13,628 feet! Follow along with our tunneling tracker on our project website.
Ground monitoring is ongoing along the tunnel alignment and is done from both inside MudHoney and on the surface.
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Ballard
Our Ballard shaft site near Shilshole Ave NW will continue to be busy with tunneling activities until MudHoney reaches Wallingford this summer, followed by removal of the trailing gear and equipment.
During regular tunneling activities, you should anticipate:
- Truck deliveries of concrete tunnel segments and MudHoney equipment
- Nighttime segment deliveries and both nighttime/daytime tunnel spoils being hauled away
- Noise and vibrations typical of a construction site
Crews are working 24 hours a day, six days a week. Some work may occur on Sundays.
East Ballard
Crews are finalizing work inside and around the mechanical and electrical vault and continue work inside the adit and shaft on NW 45th St, and in the diversion structure on 11th Ave NW. In the coming weeks, crews will begin installing the conveyance pipe that will extend from the diversion structure to the storage tunnel, as well as a new maintenance hole immediately south of the diversion structure.
Local closures and detours:
- There continues to be a one-lane traffic configuration on 11th Ave NW at NW 45th St. Traffic signals and flaggers will direct traffic at the intersection during single lane closures.
- NW 45th St remains closed to traffic between 11th Ave NW and 9th Ave NW. Vehicles must detour onto NW 46th St.
- Burke-Gilman Trail (BGT) remains detoured to the north side of NW 45th St through the project area. For safety, bicyclists should either dismount or cross train tracks at a 90-degree angle. Please take extra caution in wet weather as ramps may be slippery.
You should anticipate:
- Heavy equipment in the area
- Noise and vibrations typical of a construction site
Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm. Night and weekend work may occur.
Fremont
Crews continue excavating for a large mechanical and electrical vault. Next month, crews will begin installing the conveyance pipes between the diversion structure on 2nd Ave NW and the Fremont shaft.
Local closures and detours:
- Our contractor will work intermittently in the southernmost eastbound lane of Leary Way NW during working hours
- On 2nd Ave NW, between Leary Way NW and NW Canal St, the street remains closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic through 2023
- NW Canal St is open to two-way traffic during this closure
- NW 36th St, between Leary Way NW and 3rd Ave NW, remains closed through 2023
- Pedestrian detours are in place on Leary Way NW; please follow all detour guidance
You should anticipate:
- Truck traffic on Leary Way NW as trucks bring materials and equipment to and from the site
- Fans running during work hours to provide fresh air to crews working in the shaft
- Heavy equipment in the area
- Noise and vibrations typical of a construction site
Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm; and some Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm.
Wallingford
Crews are preparing the Wallingford site northeast of the intersection of Interlake Ave N and N 35th St for MudHoney’s arrival into the shaft.
Wallingford Conveyance project crews continue working on a diversion structure near the intersection of Stone Way N and N 34th St.
As early as June 12, Wallingford Conveyance crews will mobilize back into N 34th St to install pipes and access maintenance holes within the north portion of the intersection at Stone Way N. They expect to have the west bound lane closed for approximately 6-8 weeks. The left turn lane from Northlake Way onto westbound N 34th St will also be closed and will be opened as soon as possible. The traffic detour will be similar to the routes and signage that were in place earlier this year.
Vehicle detour:
- Stone Way N between N 34th St and N 35th St remains closed to vehicles and bicycles
- Traffic is being detoured via N 40th St and Wallingford Ave N, and via N 35th St and Woodland Park Ave N
- Improvements have been made at the all-way stop traffic revision at the intersection of N 35th St and Woodland Park Ave N
- The new all-way stop remains in place at N 35th St and Wallingford Ave N
- Please adhere to the Road Closed and Traffic Revision Ahead signage and follow the detour routes
Bicycle detour:
- Please use the bike detour route to bypass Stone Way N between N 35th St and N 34th St:
- Southbound: bicyclists are detoured west onto N 35th St and south onto Woodland Park Ave N, then west onto the Protected Bike Lane on N 34th St. Access to the BGT is at Troll Ave N
- Northbound: bicyclists will be detoured east along N 34th St (or the BGT) then north onto Wallingford Ave N
- Please dismount and walk if you use the sidewalk.
You should anticipate:
- Trucks coming in and out of the site
- Heavy equipment in the area
- Noise and vibrations typical of a construction site
Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm.
Queen Anne
Crews continue to install piping and an air duct inside the 8-foot diameter conveyance tunnel casing.
Local closures and detours:
- Localized Ship Canal Trail detour at least through summer 2023 (see map). Please continue to remain alert when moving through this area.
- West Ewing Mini Park parking closure through mid-2023
You should anticipate:
- Trucks coming in and out of the site
- Heavy equipment in the area
- Noise and vibrations typical of a construction site
Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm. Night and weekend work may occur.
Contact Us
Please email SPU_ShipCanalProject@seattle.gov with questions or comments or call our hotline at (206) 701-0233. You can also find information online at spushipcanal.participate.online. To support the community during active tunneling, we have changed our hotline hours to 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday.
Construction Safety is Everyone’s Job
Check out some top safety tips at www.seattle.gov/utilities/constructionsafety
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