February Capitol Hill tunnel update

Currently there are three TBM, Tunnel Boring Machines, digging 21 foot diameter holes through the hill i live on.  In only 4 more years (22 years after we voted for it) there should be light rail trains running in these tunnels.  I've been facinated by the tunneling process:  i frequently stare down into the big hole where the station will be and a year ago i calculated the route of the tunnel using GPS and walked the entire length.  That was fun!

Sound Transit's website has generally monthly project updates, however they only show the most recent and the updates don't say WHERE the machines are, only how many feet they have dug so far.  So i've been processing the data they release and posting maps showing the monthly progress: September, October, December, January. The February data was released this week.  Here are the current locations of the three TBM:

Brenda has just started it's second run, and is under the plaza at Seattle Central Community College.

Balto has passed out from under Volunteer park, crossed E Prospect St and is heading for 13th Ave E.

Togo is under the corner of Lowell school, near the corner of 11th Ave E & E Mercer St. Getting close to the end!