Underground blasting for East End tunnel temporarily stops

by WHAS11/NEWS RELEASE

WHAS11.com

Posted on September 23, 2014 at 5:01 PM

Updated yesterday at 5:11 PM

(WHAS11) -- Underground tunnel blasting for the East End Crossing was canceled for this week. There will be no further blasting for approximately four to six weeks.

The temporary halt in blasting comes after debris fell from the ceiling of the southbound tunnel, near the north portal, Friday night.

Although it is not uncommon for small amounts of debris to occasionally shift and fall from the ceiling during the excavation for this type of tunnel, the unusual amount that dropped Friday warrants the installation of additional structural support as a precaution.

Our first priority is always worker safety, and were adding some tunnel reinforcements simply to ensure that safety, Rob Morphonios, project director for WVB East End Partners, the company in charge of the design and construction the East End Crossing, said. Were very glad to err on the side of caution.

Morphonios said that earth monitoring instruments at the site, as well as geologists present during all excavation activity, affirm that the tunnel is structurally sound.

Morphonios said tunnel excavation is about three months ahead of schedule. The time required for installation of additional support structures will not cause the project to fall behind schedule. All surface blasting activities for the East End Crossing project will continue as scheduled.

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Underground blasting for East End tunnel temporarily stops