No more daily grind — Brightwater tunnel mining now complete

Mining completed a month ahead of schedule; tunnel to begin operating mid-2012

The daily grind is over for the tunnel boring machine that yesterday broke through the final sliver of earth 300 feet below Lake Forest Park to complete mining on Brightwater’s 13-mile conveyance tunnel.

“Reaching this major milestone, and reaching it early, is the result of making a tough, high-stakes decision soon after I took office to get a new contractor on board to keep the Brightwater project on track,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “I want to extend my congratulations to the contractor and to our dedicated employees for a job well-done.”

Joint venture contractor Jay Dee Contractors, Inc. and Frank Coluccio Construction (JDC) signed the contract in April 2010 to complete the remaining 1.9 miles of the four-mile BT-3 tunnel, one of four tunnels in the Brightwater Treatment System’s 13-mile conveyance pipeline.

The contract called for JDC to complete mining on the 13.3-foot-diameter tunnel by September 2011. The estimated cost of the entire contract is $77.3 million, which includes $2 million in incentives for completing the mining work on time. The contractor is also eligible for additional incentives of up to $2 million for completing the remaining non-mining elements of the work early.

“Community members also deserve credit for the project’s success,” said King County Wastewater Treatment Division Director Pam Elardo.

“While we always work to make sure King County construction projects are good neighbors, we recognize the impact on people who live and work nearby and appreciate their patience as we make vital improvements to our regional wastewater system.”

With tunnel mining completed, JDC will now install the final lining on the adjacent four-mile BT-4 tunnel they completed last summer. The contractor will also build a sampling facility at Point Wells and connect the Brightwater conveyance pipeline to a mile-long marine outfall that was completed in 2008. JDC will also restore the 9-acre Point Wells portal site near Richmond Beach.

The 13-mile tunnel is scheduled to begin carrying treated wastewater from the Brightwater site to the deep-water outfall in September 2012.

King County originally contracted with Vinci, Parsons and Frontier-Kemper (VPFK) to build the BT-3 tunnel, but in mid-2009, the contractor’s “Rainier” machine was damaged and required time-consuming repair. Executive Constantine made a decision to hire JDC, which had completed the adjoining four-mile BT-4 and already had a machine, “Elizabeth,” in place. VPFK remains under contract to complete the final tunnel liner in the BT-3 tunnel and to restore the Kenmore property that served as a staging area and access portal during tunnel construction.

The treatment plant will begin operating this summer and treated wastewater will be sent to South Plant in Renton or West Point in Seattle until the Brightwater tunnel begins operating.

The public is invited to a grand opening celebration of the Brightwater Treatment System project on Sept. 24, 2011.

The $1.8 billion Brightwater project is currently within 3.3 percent of its original baseline budget established in 2004, when accounting for 5 percent inflation.

According to the most recent cost trend report issued in January, the County expects to complete the $964 million Brightwater conveyance tunnel for about $141 million less than the baseline budget established in 2004.

King County is currently in litigation with contractor VPFK regarding $206 million in disputed costs.

Note to editors and reporters: Video of the breakthrough is available at http://vimeo.com/27830916 and  http://vimeo.com/27832042.

Note to editors and reporters: Visit the WTD Newsroom, a portal to information for the news media about the Wastewater Treatment Division, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/Newsroom.aspx.