Crews from Walsh-Super Excavators JV have started digging the pit that will become a 180ft (54.8m) deep shaft. According to the plans, the 1.6km long tunnel will run roughly north to connect to another 140ft (42.6m) deep shaft across from Lorain City Hall.
The project, in the planning stages for years, will cost more than USD 53.63M for the digging, according to city records. Lorain officials also have authorised a contract of USD 2.9M for Electrical Corp of America for electrical work needed.
The project is needed to make Lorain comply with federal rules and alleviate sanitary and storm sewer flooding around the city. The
tunnel will hold some 10 million gallons.
During heavy rains, storm water floods the city’s sanitary sewers and Lorain violates the Clean Water Act. The tunnel will help avoid
sanitary sewer backups and basement flooding caused by overloaded sewers. According to plans, new buildings will be constructed at either end of the tunnel, with a pump station at the south end and a screening station at the north end.
