Pittsburgh, PA—Port Authority is pleased to announce that the 500-ton tunnel boring machine (TBM) that has been mining the first of two tunnels as part of the North Shore Connector Project is ready to make its appearance in Downtown Pittsburgh the week of July 7-11, 2008.
Since mining began on January 22, 2008, the tunnel boring machine has advanced 35-40 feet per day, working its way from the North Shore launch pit, beneath the Equitable Resources building and under the Allegheny River to the receiving pit located under Stanwix Street near the intersection of Penn Avenue.
Stanwix Street between Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Penn Avenue will continue to be closed for several weeks as crews undertake the intricate process of turning the TBM around to prepare it to begin boring the second tunnel back to the North Shore.
Beginning early next week, fans of the project and tunnel boring machine aficionados can watch a live video of the receiving pit and catch the TBM “hole-through” live on www.theboretotheshore.com.
Visitors to the site are also encouraged to place their vote in the Name the Badger contest. While more than 100 names have been suggested by contest participants, the following ten names were selected most often by those voting: Boris, Digger, Augie, Diggit, BoDiggity, Holey-Moley, Burghie, Spade, Moler and Bucky. The name receiving the most votes between now and when the TBM holes-through will be announced as the badger’s official name.
All those who vote for the name that ultimately receives the most votes will be placed into a raffle and a grand prize winner will be chosen. The grand prize winner will receive a Bore to the Shore T-shirt and hard hat along, a tour of the tunnel during construction, an autographed photo of the badger and VIP treatment when the North Shore Connector opens for service in 2011. The grand prize winner will be announced the day the TBM holes-through in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Round two of the Tunnel Trivia Contest on The Bore to the Shore Web site is also underway. Congratulations to Eric Buzard, age 15, of Pittsburgh, winner of the contest’s first round, who received a Bore to the Shore T-shirt and hard hat.
The North Shore Connector is a vital transportation project that will effectively and efficiently link the business and retail centers, and entertainment and cultural attractions in Station Square, Golden Triangle and the North Shore. It will also enhance $1 billion in development occurring on the North Shore and benefit current North Side employment, retail, residential and education centers along with numerous dining and entertainment destinations.