Bertha

Jennifer McKevitt - CEG Correspondent - Mon April 15, 2019

The Science Behind Tunnel Boring Machines

Historically, tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are named for women, a tradition originating with miners praying to their patron saint, Barbara, for protection from cave-ins, suffocation and other dangers associated with digging underground....

Lori Tobias – CEG Correspondent - Tue April 09, 2019

New Tunnel Opens, Crews Demolish Alaskan Way Viaduct

Now that Seattle's long-awaited SR 99 tunnel has opened to traffic, demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct can begin, moving the $3.3 billion, 30-project endeavor one step closer to the projected 2021 completion....

Lori Tobias – CEG Correspondent - Tue January 16, 2018

After Bertha: WSDOT Updates SR 99 Progress in Seattle

The precast concrete panels that will build the lower deck of Seattle's new SR 99 double deck tunnel began arriving in early November, marking the beginning of an important stage of the tunnel construction, said Laura Newborn, spokeswoman of the project....

Emily Buenzle - Fri December 29, 2017

Readers' Choice: Best Industry Stories of 2017

As the year comes to a close, we would like to thank you, our readers, for choosing CEG as your trusted source for construction news. While this year has seen a multitude of major construction projects, announcements, legislation and more, 10 stories topped the list as most-popular, chosen by our online community....

Emily Buenzle - Fri December 29, 2017

Editors' Picks: Top 10 Construction Stories of 2017

From high-profile infrastructure to politically-charged projects, innovative equipment to billion-dollar builds, the construction industry made a big impact all over the country in 2017. While there were countless projects, events and stories worth talking about throughout the year, here is a list of our editors' top 10 picks:1....

Thu August 24, 2017

Bertha Says Goodbye: Seattle Tunneling Machine Removed

Disassembly of the world's largest tunneling machine is now complete. On Aug. 23 crews lifted the final pieces of the 8,000-ton giant out of the SR 99 tunnel's disassembly pit near Seattle Center....

Lori Tobias - Wed July 05, 2017

Saying Goodbye to Bertha

Efforts in Seattle to dismantle the custom-made tunneling machine fondly dubbed “Bertha” are proceeding as planned with completion on schedule for September. The tunneling machine was used to carve a 1.7-mi....

Lori Tobias - Mon April 17, 2017

Bertha Breaks Through: Iconic TBM Emerges Into Daylight in Seattle

Sixty-four years to the day the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle opened to traffic, the tunneling machine dubbed "Bertha" emerged into daylight from a 1.7 mi. (2.7 km) drive beneath the city. The crew broke into the 90-ft....

Lori Tobias - Thu October 20, 2016

Bertha Bashes Past Half-Way Tunnel Point

Three years after the tunneling machine dubbed "Bertha" began work on a 2-mi. (3.2 km) tunnel beneath the city of Seattle, the machine has passed the half-way point. Bertha pushed past the Pike Place Market on Sept....

Thu July 14, 2016

VIDEO: Take a Sneak Peek at the Construction of Seattle Tunnel's Double-Deck Highway

Local Seattle news affiliate Fox Q13 is reporting that as the tunnel-boring machine Bertha takes a break, the public is getting its first look inside the elaborate construction of the tunnel's double-deck highway....