The Devil's Slide Tunnel is on track for a Fall of 2011 opening, according to a representative of Supervisor Rich Gordon's office. The tunnel is being bored through Montara Mountain from south to north. The twin tunnels are each over 75% complete.
Digging began in September of 2007.
This Spring work will begin on the north face in Pacifica to prepare for the breakthrough. The bridge portion of the project, also in Pacifica, was
completed in September of 2008.
In a recent article Julia Scott
wrote about her experiences inside the tunnel.
From Julia Scott's article on MercuryNews.com:
Powerful fans circulate oxygen through the tunnels, allowing workers to breathe in spite of being enveloped by a mountain that stretches 656 feet above the rock they're standing on. The fans can't mask the smell, though — a combination of diesel exhaust and paint from the curing compound applied to the concrete.
"There's a lot of chemicals in here. That's what tunnels smell like," shrugged Ramirez.
For 10 hours a day, this is the only world workers inhabit. They don't get out to see daylight. They take meal breaks at a picnic bench in one of the tunnel's cross-passages.
Be sure to click on the small photograph for
a short slideshow.
Discuss (5 posts)
| Chris |
Tunnel on track for Fall 2011 opening
Mar 09 2010 02:59:10
Why does the slideshow say opening sometime in 2013. i sure hope it's opens in 2011.
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#27 |
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Re:Tunnel on track for Fall 2011 opening
Mar 09 2010 04:12:10
Hmmm. Good question. I'll check with CalTrans in the morning and will find out.
--Darin
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#28 |
|
Re:Tunnel on track for Fall 2011 opening
Mar 10 2010 22:25:07
I've left voice mail and sent e-mail to two different public affairs offices at CalTrans but haven't heard back. Their web page is still indicating late 2011 or early 2012 for the opening--but then again the web page hasn't been updated in a very long time.
If and when I hear anything I'll post it here.
--Darin
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#31 |
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Re:Tunnel on track for Fall 2011 opening
Mar 11 2010 17:14:55
Caltrans says that they are on track to open the tunnel to traffic in Nov or Dec of 2011. See this link.
--Darin
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#32 |
| Chris |
Tunnel on track for Fall 2011 opening
Mar 13 2010 07:20:07
Thanks for being persistent and posting the follow up.
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#37 |
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