Michigan Ditch Construction Photos and Video#
Beating the initial deadline by two days, crews completed the Michigan Ditch Tunnel Project two days earlier than originally planned, on October 26.
Tunnel grouting and laying the Hobas pipe out of the tunnel is complete. Final earthwork and demobilization is underway to clear the site and prepare the ditch for winter.
It's winter in the high country in mid-October
Around 4:30 a.m. on September 29, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) came through the mountain - right where it was supposed to. Almost 800 feet of tunnel was built through the mountain since the project began in May.
Breaking through the mountain will be done slowly and carefully to avoid destabilizing the mountainside. Dismantling and removing the custom-built TBM from the mountain will take three to four days. Hydraulic and electronic equipment will be removed from the tunnel before the 60-inch diameter Hobas (fiberglass) pipe is installed to carry the water.
The project will continue for four to six more weeks before water again runs in the Michigan Ditch. Weather could be challenging if heavy snows fall before the project is completely wrapped up.
August update#
We are now well over halfway through the tunnel, over 450 feet with 310 to go. Crews have been occasionally slowed by really hard rock. After Labor Day, the project will change to a 24 hour/day operation. Daylighting the tunnel (literally getting through the tunnel into the daylight) before the end of September is the goal in order to complete the job by early November. The schedule is completely dependent on mining production.
All the outside work, including the upstream and downstream head walls, are complete.
Downstream head wall where the water will flow back into the ditch when it exits the tunnel.
Crews built this retaining wall along the ditch downstream of the new head wall to keep the road as wide as possible for material deliveries.
Crews work in tight spaces inside the tunnel
The laser beam from the tunnel control system allows the TBM operator to stay on line and grade.
The tunnel will be lined with this Hobas (fiberglass) pipe. 13 more truckloads will be delivered.
Video of the TBM at work.#
Lag and ring tunnel#
Ongoing site work#
Site photos prior to drilling (June 14, 2016).#
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