SVCW debuts gravity sewer TBM

In addition, the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced the closing of a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan that will help finance the 2.4-mile (3.8km) tunnel project.

The alignment is located under the Redwood Shores Parkway right-of-way in Redwood City.

“Replacing our infrastructure is a critical need and Silicon Valley Clean Water is thrilled to be able to accomplish this amazing project in a relatively short timeframe and with little impact to the local community,” said Teresa Herrera, manager of Silicon Valley Clean Water. “Today’s project milestone is a major step forward and we couldn’t have gotten here without the innovative design build team of Barnard/Bessac Joint Venture to keep this project on time and on budget. We thank the United States Environmental Protection Agency for their support of a WIFIA loan, which will save ratepayers significant cost; this investment will keep the project moving forward.”

Built by Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems, the USD 18.2M EPBM is nearly assembled, SVWC said.

"The gravity pipeline project is managed using Progressive Design Build to control costs and replace the aging existing pipeline sooner," a spokesperson said. "Project delivery using Progressive Design Build is very new for tunnelling projects in the United States." The design build team for SVCW’s project includes Barnard Construction and Bessac Construction, and Arup as the designer. SVCW’s owners advisors and quality assurance consultants include Tanner Pacific, JCK, MPF Consulting, Inc, Kennedy Jenks, and Mott McDonald.

“Today is a great milestone for this significant project, which includes innovative thinking, cost savings, shrinking of the project schedule, and ensuring a high level of safety to make sure the Gravity Pipeline project is a success,” said Jack Sucilsky, project manager of Barnard Bessac Joint Venture. “Barnard Construction provides local underground expertise in the Bay Area while our JV partner, Bessac, comes to the table with four decades of tunnelling expertise, and we are ready to deliver a successful project for Silicon Valley Clean Water.”

The Regional Environmental Sewer Conveyance Upgrade (RESCU) Program will cost USD 495M in capital dollars. The EPA’s WIFIA loan is funding eligible project costs, and capitalized interest, which combined is valued at USD 517M.

One of the goals of SVCW’s RESCU Program is to protect the San Francisco Bay through rehabilitating and constructing new facilities that enhance the future of the Peninsula’s wastewater system, while managing increasing wastewater flows of up to 108 million gallons per day (MGD) during wet weather.

SVCW serves more than 220,000 people and businesses in our service area supporting the cities of Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City and the West Bay Sanitary District.