Presenting SR99 Tunnel behind the scenes documentation

JOURNEY FROM LIGHT TO LIGHT - Part I SEATTLE TUNNEL, EARLY DAYS, BERTHA RESCUE AND RETURN

FROM LIGHT TO LIGHT Part II MINING, WALL BUILDING, COMPRESSED AIR DIVES, PILOT HOUSE

FROM LIGHT TO LIGHT Part III FINALIZATION, INAUGURATION, VIRGIN TUNNEL, ADIOS VIADUCT

TBM MAGAZINE February cover story “Retracing Bertha’s Journey”. Publisher / Editor, Jim Rush leads us through the visual story of Bassetti photography Project documentation.

https://tunnelingonline.com/retracing-bertha-journey/

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These images were made for editorial use of a public works project and belong to the Photographer under Copyright Law.  It is understood by viewing this content that no model or property releases are attached and Photographer is not responsible for claimed infringement by individuals or entities of any kind. Images are provided "as is" with no warranty regarding the suitability of the image for any purpose. The Photographer is not liable to any person or entity for damages, costs or losses stemming from any usage of images. 

Going Northbound? Enter here

A view of the SR99 tunnel Northbound entry and changing roadways in the southern Sodo district

THEN and NOW

Interior view of the SR99 Tunnel, Seattle, Washington, as seen in Spring 2017 and 2018.  Lower image of newly completed Northbound roadway.

ENR (Engineering News Record) Magazine selects Bassetti Photography entry as one of year's best

Photo of mechanical welder on night shift, Marcel Ouedraogo, on the last day of TBM Bertha's four month dismantle period, after completing the 2-mile bore beneath Seattle on April 4, 2017.  Selected for publication in Engineering News Record (ENR) Magazine as one of ten winners for Best Construction Photography of the year. 

Celebrating the 1st Anniversary of TBM Bertha's successful drive

April 4, 2018 marks the first anniversary of Bertha's breakthrough at the North Portal site of the SR99 Tunnel in Seattle, Washington. The 57.5ft EPBTBM, built by Japan's Hitachi-Zosen, is the world's largest diameter tunnel boring machine to complete an underground drive. The new tunnel will replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct and provide safe passage along the city's vibrant waterfront adjacent to downtown.

TBM Bertha Rescue Video - MAMMOET CRANES

https://youtu.be/fWNwx788OD0

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FEATURING MAMMOET HEAVY LIFTING CRANES, SPECIALISTS IN PROVIDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE WORLD’S MOST COMPLEX PROJECT NEEDS.

BERTHA'S LAST DAYS

At 57.5 ft diameter, the sheer size and weight of the tunnel boring machine was too great to salvage from the exit shaft. Over the next four months, crews worked alternating shifts 24/7 to methodically dismantle Bertha piece by piece. This work involved slicing the outer shell and other components with an oxyacetylene torch, a highly skilled operation, and lifting each piece up and out with heavy cranes.

SR99 tunnel exit site following the completion of TBM dismantle process, view to south.

THE NEXT PHASE, INTERIOR ROADS

Throughout the tunnel boring over the past year, formwork installation and the building of roadways was underway simultaneously. In December, the dual deck highway now fills the cavernous tunnel from end to end.

Bertha Breathes! Hole-out on April 4, 2017

Bertha shines at night, entering the receiving pit at the North Portal

© 2017 Catherine Bassetti Photography, all rights reserved worldwide

Crew members celebrate the successful long journey of Bertha, the world's largest diameter EPB TBM.  Seattle, Wa.

Mammoet awarded Job of the Year by Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA) May, 2016

RISKY BUSINESS / PROBLEM SOLVED

Mammoet, of global recognition for its innovative solutions to high-stakes obstacles, successfully completed the rescue of the world's largest tunnel boring machine from120ft. below ground. 

“Catherine Bassetti’s photography provided us with outstanding documentation of our role in this special project for both our case studies and project videos.”

— Theo Kroese, Director of Marketing and Communications, Mammoet, NL

(Below) Case study and video production by MAMMOET

In 2013, the world's largest tunnel boring machine, Bertha, was compromised while digging a road tunnel under the city of Seattle. Mammoet came to the rescue. Working on a constricted site, over a extraction pit, the 2000-ton cutter head was lifted out, repaired and replaced using a unique 'self-balancing' tower gantry.

While the access shaft was being excavated, Mammoet completed the gantry tower and skid base. On March 30th, 2015, the tower gantry raised the damaged cutter drive unit from the shaft in a precision-controlled lift. Using adjustable lifting points to change the lifting position, Mammoet turned the suspended cutter drive unit 90 degrees and installed it onto the repair saddles in a total of 16 hours. 

Mammoet, HItachi and Seattle Tunnel Partners' crews after the successful 16-hour lift of TBM (Bertha) Center Drive Unit.