DC Water 1st Street Tunnel Community Update -- Wednesday, April 13, 2016

From: Thomas Lindberg [mailto:Thomas.Lindberg@dcwater.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2016 5:15 PM
To: Thomas Lindberg
Cc: Thomas Lindberg ; Linda Bernhardt ; 'creativepagesllc@aol.com'
Subject: First Street Tunnel Community Update, April 13, 2016

Greetings First Street Tunnel Stakeholders,

Update on Abigail, micro-tunnel boring machine (MTBM) that is currently mining the Adams Street adit tunnel 

            

Abigail, the MTBM, has encountered unexpected difficulties, causing SKJD to work in an emergency mode around the clock (24/7) since Monday night, April 11, 2016.  The pace of mining has slowed significantly. 

Over the last several days, we were able to install only one 8-foot section of pipe over a 12-hour period, as opposed to a typical value of 4 to 5 pipes, which is normally expected.   More critically, last weekend we found a very real risk of the ground sticking to the pipe such that the MTBM would not be able to advance at all.  In order to avoid this situation, we had to keep the MTBM moving continuously.

We presently have 6 pipe segments left to push, and progress has improved.   However, in order to avoid a situation where the MTBM becomes stopped, we must continue to work on a 24-hour basis.  If the extremely adverse advance rates continue, we could potentially be in emergency mode for another five days.

SKJD has notified the permitting authorities as required, and has received permission to proceed with the 24/7 hours to complete these critical tasks for safety reasons.  Please be assured that the public and adjacent buildings are not at risk.  We need to complete the underground work as described above to avoid having the MTBM machine become immobile.  If the MTBM stops moving, the contractor would need to retrieve the MTBM through an open cut from the street.  Open-cut construction would produce significantly more adverse construction impacts to the abutting community than the current plan does.

Upcoming event on Saturday, April 16:

The opportunity for review of the current planting restoration plans at or near Construction Staging Areas will occur on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the First Street Project Site Office located at 2036 First Street, NW.  Discussion times for each CSA follow:

•      Thomas Street:  9 am – 10 am

•      First Street and V Street:  10:30 am – 12 pm
•      Adams Street and Flagler Place:  12:30 pm – 2 pm

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the 24/7 Hotline at 1-844-FST-INFO (1-844-378-4636).  Please continue to check our web site for updated project information (http://dcwater.com/workzones/projects/first_street_tunnel/).

We will send out another notice when the MTBM mining operation on Adams Street is complete.

Sincere Regards, Tom