11/14/2005
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Mayor Peterson, DPW officials launch tunneling machine to reduce raw sewage overflows
First tunneling project in the city’s history will significantly reduce overflows from Pogues Run
INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Bart Peterson today commissioned a state-of-the art tunneling machine that will be used to redirect raw sewage overflows away from schools and playgrounds where children play on the near Eastside.
Pogues Run was selected for the city’s first tunneling project because of its proximity to Arsenal Tech High School, Harshman Middle School, Horizon Alternative Middle School and Theodore Potter Elementary School.
"In this day and age, it’s unacceptable to have raw sewage overflowing with nearly every rain into neighborhood streams where children play," Mayor Peterson said. "When this tunnel is complete, it will capture overflows and carry them downstream, where kids can’t come in contact with the water."
The mayor commissioned the equipment by breaking a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice, ceremoniously clearing the way for the underground launch of the tunneling machine.
The $12.5 million tunneling machine is 14 feet in diameter and was made specifically for Indianapolis by LOVAT Inc., a Canadian company that specializes in the design and manufacture of tunneling equipment. The machine will be operated by Super Excavators Inc., a Wisconsin company with extensive tunneling expertise.
Known as an Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machine, the equipment enables engineers to tunnel through soft soils without causing a collapse of the ground above. Behind the cutting head, the machine will install pre-fabricated concrete lining as the tunnel is excavated.
Tunnels are being used increasingly by cities to reduce sewage overflows. When there is little available space at ground level, a tunnel can provide underground storage and conveyance capacity with significantly less disruption to streets and neighborhoods above.
Focusing on the lower portion of Pogues Run between 10th and New York streets, the project also includes rehabilitating old brick sewers, replacing the Dorman Street vehicular bridge with a pedestrian bridge and widening Pogues Run. These changes will bring the Cottage Home neighborhood out of the 100-year flood zone and allow residents to discontinue their flood insurance.
"This project is a prime example of ratepayer dollars at work to reduce sewage overflows, improve flood protection and improve our quality of life," the mayor said. "This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of the City-County Council and our citizens, who have strongly endorsed our Clean Streams-Healthy Neighborhoods plan."
When the project is complete, raw sewage overflows in the area should be reduced from an average of 22-38 storms in a typical year to four overflows or less, based on average rainfall statistics. Fewer overflows will occur in dry years; wet years may cause more than four.
The $19.2 million project was designed by Clark Dietz, Inc. and Brierly Associates. In addition to Super Excavators, construction contractors are Walsh Construction Company and Insituform Technologies, USA, Inc. The work is being inspected by Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd.
All three phases of the project are scheduled to be complete by August 2006.
The project is part of the city’s long-term plan to meet Clean Water Act requirements to reduce sewer overflows. The city is nearing the completion of negotiations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
More than 100 years ago, Indianapolis built a "combined" sewer system that is still used today. It carries sewage, storm water and industrial waste away from homes, streets and factories in the same set of pipes. To avoid backups into homes, the system sends waste directly into Indianapolis waterways during wet weather.
When as little as a quarter-inch of rain falls, the extra water overloads the sewers, dumping raw sewage, human waste, toilet paper, disease-causing bacteria and viruses, industrial waste, and other pollutants directly into the city’s rivers, streams and creeks.
More than 770 communities across the nation, including 105 in Indiana, are required to reduce sewer overflows by developing and implementing long-term infrastructure improvement plans. The city’s plan, which has been developed through extensive public involvement and consultation, represents the largest public works project in Indianapolis history.
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