Planning is underway for the deepest, longest and largest sewer improvement project in the city's history: an underground tunnel along Fall Creek and White River that will capture raw sewage overflows and help clean our waterways.

When complete, the tunnel will be approximately 250 feet below ground, 10 miles long and 30 feet in diameter. It will begin near the Indiana State Fairgrounds on the northeast side and stretch to Harding Street and Troy Avenue on the southside.

During wet weather, raw sewage and stormwater will be captured in the tunnel instead of overflowing into waterways. After the storm passes, the sewage will be pumped to one of the city's two wastewater treatment plants.

During construction, a tunnel boring machine, about 35 feet in diameter, will be lowered below ground to the limestone layer of bedrock. The machine will have rotating cutting heads that will chip away at the rock, allowing the machine to inch its way forward while neighborhoods remain undisturbed up above.

Initial studies of the geology and groundwater along the tunnel route are completed. Facility planning will begin in 2008, followed by detailed design and engineering in 2010. Construction is expected to begin in 2012.

Click on the links below to get more information on the project and the tunneling technology:

White River-Fall Creek Tunnel Study Fact Sheet

May 18, 2005, Briefing to Clean Stream Team Advisory Committee,

October 25, 2007, Briefing to Clean Stream Team Advisory Committee

WE&T Article on Tunneling Technology (July 2006)