Tunneling Against Time (Available only in the Geoenvironmental Special Issue)

Egger, David F.; McCormick, Bill; ,

Tunneling Against Time (Available only in the Geoenvironmental Special Issue)

by David F. Egger, P.E., Proj. Engr.; John Carollo Engineers, Las Vegas, NV and Black & Veatch, Kansas City, KS (CBV),
Bill McCormick, P.E., Lead Tunnel Field Engr.; John Carollo Engineers, Las Vegas, NV and Black & Veatch, Kansas City, KS (CBV),

Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1997, Vol. 67, Issue 2, Pg. 3A-7A

Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

The phenomenal growth of Las Vegas has prompted nearly $1 billion worth of water-supply projects. A $33 million tunnel scheme�a critical element of the new construction�is on pace. The existing delivery system, operated by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) staff, includes a 400 mgd water-treatment plant, pumping stations, 10 ft diameter tunnel, 108 and 96 in. laterals, and other system components. SNWA estimates that existing system delivery capacity will only be sufficient until the peak use season in 1997. The John Carollo Engineers, Las Vegas, and Black & Veatch (CBV), Kansas City, Kan.; and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) had just 34 months to complete a project that would normally take five years. The results of facility plans completed by CBV in 1994 clearly identified the need for a second tunnel bore through the River Mountains Range northeast of Henderson, Nev. The tunnel will be the backbone of improvements of the upgraded delivery system. The 12 ft 2 in. finished diameter, 3.77 mi long tunnel would parallel the existing tunnel constructed in 1972. To meet the aggressive schedule, virtually every phase of the project from subsurface exploration and permitting to tunnel-boring machine (TBM) procurement and construction was integrated into a team-based construction management approach. These factors combined with outstanding execution by Kajima Engineering and Construction are resulting in a successful project for the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

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