TUNNELING THROUGH THE MARSH

This article describes the excavation of an 834-ft-long segment of a 1200-ft tunnel that will run beneath a yet-to-be-completed runway extension at New Orleans International Airport. Future road-building contracts will link the tunnel with U.S. 61 and I-10, providing a vital north-south route for the New Orleans metro area. The contractor, Boh Brothers, is using two 3-in. Honda water pumps rated at 8 hp, and one 6-in. Gorman-Rupp pump to remove water from the cut and cover work. As there is concern about the tunnel rising up because of groundwater pressure, many of the 1,927 wooden piles Boh is driving into the ground are tie-down piles which feature steel anchors. Further details of the construction are given in this article.