Dear Neighbor: 

The tunnel boring machine has completed its journey and is awaiting extraction from the open trench on 23rd Avenue and Lincoln Street. Our tunneling contractor, J.W. Fowler, will set up a crane on the west side of the intersection starting tomorrow at 7 a.m. The crane will be used to lift the machine from the trench.  

If you live on west side of 23rd Avenue near the intersection with Lincoln, expect some short delays while the contractor gets the crane into position. EWEB will coordinate access with impacted residents.

Left: The tunnel boring machine breaks through the final bit of earth at the intersection of 23rd and Lincoln. Right: Close up of the cutter head that excavated material underground.

Looking Ahead

Pipelines

After the tunneling machine is removed, contractors will start breaking down the separation plant, grouting the space on the outside of the tunnel, and prepping the casing for pipe installation. We expect work on the piping within the tunnel to be complete by the end of November. Construction on the open trench pipeline installation down 23rd Avenue to Amazon Parkway will likely kick off in the late spring or early summer of 2026.  

South Tank Construction 

Wall pours are now happening every other day. Column pours will begin next week.

Project Team

• Laura Farthing, Principal Engineer & Project Manager
• Jen Connors, Public Affairs & Communications Manager
• Claire Wray, Communications Specialist
• Hanna Ashcraft, Communications Specialist
• Chris Irvin, Water Engineering Supervisor 
• Mike Masters, Water Operations Manager