Construction of the largest and final segment of the Anacostia River Tunnel System is set to begin in July. Part of DC Water’s $2.7-billion Clean Rivers Project to comply with the Clean Water Act, the project includes a 13.1-mile long tunnel system—to be completed in 2023—that will capture 98% sewage overflows to the Anacostia River.
But before work on the final five-mile section of the tunnel began, DC Water named the project’s newest tunnel boring machine after the late Christopher Allen during a June 26 ceremony. While tunnel-boring machines, like ships, are traditionally named for women, DC Water broke with tradition and named the TBM after its former assistant director for the Clean Rivers Project. Allen, who died late last year, managed all of the Clean Rivers’ construction projects, including the Blue Plains Tunnel, which was ENR’s Project of the Year for 2016.