Tunneling
DC Water lowers TBM “Mary” cutterhead for Potomac River Tunnel construction
DC Water has lowered the 21-ft-diameter cutterhead for tunnel boring machine Mary, marking a major construction milestone for the Potomac River Tunnel. The 2.4-mile underground tunnel will store combined sewer overflows and is a key component of DC Water’s Clean Rivers Project to reduce pollution in the Potomac River.
OSHA forms safety partnership for Manchester, N.H. stormwater tunnel project
OSHA has entered a strategic partnership with the Methuen Obayashi Joint Venture to strengthen worker safety during construction of Manchester’s Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel, focusing on confined-space risks, hazardous gases, excavation safety and leadership-driven hazard prevention.
Lake Travis water tunnels advance $225 million regional supply system in Central Texas
The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority has completed underground construction on a $225 million water delivery system, including twin tunnels beneath Lake Travis designed to improve drought resilience and expand regional water capacity for Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock.
Florida water pipeline uses curved steel casing in microtunneling first
A Florida water transmission project is using curved steel casing to navigate constrained underground corridors without adding shafts. The approach offers a new option for microtunneling in dense utility environments where straight-line alignments are difficult.
Microtunneling drives progress on Calgary’s TransCanada sanitary trunk
Calgary’s TransCanada Sanitary Trunk project continues to advance, with microtunneling driving pipe installation on the 5.3-mile wastewater capacity expansion through 2026.
Appeals court blocks California’s bond plan for Delta water tunnel
A California appeals court ruled the state lacks authority to issue bonds for the Delta Conveyance Project, forcing officials to reconsider how the water tunnel will be financed.
New 4,000-foot tunnel to boost Detroit sewer capacity, prevent flooding
The Great Lakes Water Authority has begun construction on an $87 million stormwater diversion tunnel in southwest Detroit, designed to reduce sewage backups, basement flooding, and improve water quality along the Rouge River. The 4,000-foot tunnel will redirect excess wet-weather flows to an existing retention and treatment basin, boosting system resilience ahead of expected completion in 2028.
First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
Manufacturing and testing are complete for the first two tunnel boring machines for the Hudson Tunnel Project. The massive TBMs are now being shipped to New Jersey for on-site assembly, marking a major milestone as tunneling is set to begin in 2026.
Judge rejects contractor's bid to halt Gateway Tunnel procurement
A federal judge has cleared the Gateway Development Commission to continue bidding on a key viaduct contract for the Hudson Tunnel Project, rejecting a contractor’s claim that a project labor agreement unfairly barred competition. The ruling keeps procurement on schedule for one of the corridor’s most critical infrastructure components.
Texas awards $70 million to rebuild Irving’s aging drainage channel, cut flood risk
Irving, Texas, secured $70 million in state funding to overhaul its largest and oldest drainage channel, a multi-phase flood control project expected to protect more than 240 homes and modernize key water and sewer infrastructure by 2030.
Amtrak hits six-month milestone in East River Tunnel rebuild
Amtrak has reached a major milestone in its multi-year rebuild of the East River Tunnels, completing six months of work on the first tube while keeping Amtrak and LIRR service operating on schedule. The modernization includes structural reconstruction, new safety systems, and upgraded communications ahead of a 2026 reopening.
Metro Council resolution challenges Boring Co. tunnel proposal over subsurface, labor issues
A proposed tunnel linking downtown Nashville to the airport is drawing formal opposition from Metro Council members, who cite unanswered safety, geological and labor questions. While the measure cannot stop the project, it adds political pressure and calls for full public disclosure before any use of public land.
Blackwater CSO tunnel hits midpoint as Lynchburg pushes toward 98% overflow reduction
Lynchburg’s Blackwater CSO Tunnel has reached the halfway mark, keeping the city on track for major reductions in combined sewer overflows and improved waterway protection by 2027.
N.J. contractor seeks to pause bidding on Gateway Tunnel viaduct contract
A major New Jersey contractor is asking a federal judge to halt bidding on a key Gateway Tunnel viaduct contract, arguing that the project’s labor agreement unfairly blocks its participation. The challenge adds another layer of uncertainty to the $16 billion rail program as federal reviews and funding delays continue.
Amtrak crews sustain 115-year-old Hudson River tunnels as Gateway project advances
Amtrak crews are performing nightly inspections and repairs inside the 115-year-old Hudson River rail tunnels to keep the Northeast Corridor’s only Manhattan rail link operational. With structural deterioration and Hurricane Sandy damage ongoing, major rehabilitation can’t begin until new Gateway tunnels open in the 2030s.
Nevada congresswoman questions dropped fines for Boring Co. after firefighter injuries in Las Vegas
Rep. Dina Titus has asked Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo to explain why his administration dropped a $425,000 fine against The Boring Co. after firefighters were injured during a Las Vegas tunnel training incident.
Global tunnel construction projects reach $1.5 trillion worldwide
Global tunnel construction activity hits a record $1.5 trillion, led by major investments in North-East Asia, Western Europe, and North America, according to a new report.
Tunnel boring machine Elaine reaches finish line in Northside Interceptor project
Akron’s “Elaine” tunnel boring machine has completed the 1-mile Northside Interceptor Tunnel beneath the city’s North Hill neighborhood, marking a major step in the city’s sewer overhaul and effort to restore the Cuyahoga River.
Elon Musk's Boring Co. fined for dumping drilling waste into Vegas sewer system
Elon Musk's Boring Company has been fined nearly $500,000 after improperly discharging drilling fluids into Las Vegas municipal manholes during its Vegas Loop tunnel project, prompting cleanup of more than 2,400 gallons of waste and raising infrastructure-integrity concerns.
After 62 years, NYC's third water tunnel nears completion
New York City’s $6 billion Water Tunnel No. 3, under construction since 1970, is nearing completion. When finished in 2032, the 60-mile tunnel will deliver water to all five boroughs, providing critical redundancy and reliability for the city’s century-old water infrastructure.
Robots and AI drive next-generation tunnel construction in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s CEDD is transforming tunnel construction with AI and robotics. Autonomous inspection and drilling systems on the Trunk Road T2 project have boosted efficiency by 40% and reduced labor by 60%, setting a new benchmark for smart infrastructure.
Tetra Tech to oversee groundwater monitoring for UK’s Thames Tideway Tunnel
Tetra Tech was selected by Tideway to lead groundwater monitoring for the 15.5-mile Thames Tideway Tunnel in London under a $3.2 million contract aimed at reducing sewer overflows and improving water quality in the River Thames.
Potomac River Tunnel project enters construction phase beneath Washington, D.C.
DC Water has begun tunneling for the 5.5-mile Potomac River Tunnel Project, part of the Clean Rivers Program to reduce sewer overflows and improve water quality in Washington, D.C. The tunnel will cut overflow volume by 93 percent once complete.
U.S. Army Corps approves Enbridge's $500 million Line 5 Tunnel project
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted federal approval for Enbridge’s Line 5 Great Lakes Tunnel, a $500 million project to encase the existing oil pipeline beneath Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac in a concrete tunnel. The permit marks a major milestone for the Canadian energy company’s plan to reinforce one of the region’s most scrutinized pipeline systems.
Utah city launches historic $70 million tunnel project using box jacking under active rail line
The City of Bluffdale, Utah, has begun work on a $70 million infrastructure project to replace the aging 14600 South underpass with a new four-lane tunnel built beneath active train tracks. Using an advanced Italian “box jacking” technique—never before applied in the U.S.—crews will construct the new tunnel without disrupting rail service.
Tunnel replacement work begins on Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie Canal after 2019 collapse
Construction is set to begin this fall on the long-awaited replacement of Tunnel No. 2 along the Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie Canal, six years after a collapse halted water deliveries to more than 100,000 acres in Nebraska and Wyoming. Preliminary work will prepare inlet and outlet structures and access roads ahead of full tunnel excavation in 2026, with total project completion expected by spring 2028.
Worker killed after 50-ft fall at Gateway Tunnel construction site in NYC
A construction worker was killed after a fall while working on the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing project, part of the Hudson River Tunnel expansion linking Penn Station to new rail tubes. According to multiple news outlets, authorities are investigating the incident, which has halted all construction on the site pending review.
Expert panel backs single-bore tunnel plan for San Jose BART project
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority confirmed a single-bore tunnel design for the BART Silicon Valley Phase II project in San Jose, following an expert review that cited lower risk and reduced disruption compared to dual-bore alternatives.
Construction advances on Toronto's $27 billion Ontario Line subway project
Toronto’s $27 billion Ontario Line subway project is advancing rapidly, with several underground station sites now beginning to take recognizable form. The 15.6-km line will add 15 new stations in what is one of the city’s most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in decades.
Gateway Tunnel construction continues despite Trump's move to terminate funding
Work continues on New York’s $16 billion Gateway Tunnel despite President Trump’s move to terminate federal funding for the critical Hudson River rail project.
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- 27 pipeline safety violations tied to deadly Pa. chocolate factory explosion
- Contractor gas line strike triggers home explosion in Missouri
- LA recovery reports call for $650 million power line burial, major utility upgrades in Pacific Palisades
- Comprehensive microtrenching FAQ: Key insights on the Vermeer MTR516 microtrencher
- T-Mobile to expand fiber broadband infrastructure footprint with $4.9 billion Metronet acquisition
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility
- Cityside launches $100 million fiber build in Corona, Calif.
- FiberLight to build 1,400-mile West Texas dark fiber network in $350 million expansion