A drill named Pamela, tasked with digging the tunnel for the Sound Transit light rail extension from Husky Stadium to Northgate, was stuck in the dirt under Seattle for several months.
"Another Seattle tunnel machine has been damaged, and spent six weeks going no where," reports Mike Linblom. "This time, a Sound Transit drill nicknamed Pamela, halted some 650 feet north of the future University District Station on Dec. 28 and was out of service until Thursday, according to Sound Transit."
The light rail route in question will eventually connect Husky Stadium to Northgate. Farther South on the line, Sound Transit recently made big, positive news by announcing that it would open a light rail extension between Capitol Hill and Husky Stadium on-time and under budget. Those plans are not impacted by Pamela's recent delay. According to Lindblom, "the four-mile extension from Northgate to Husky Stadium is still likely to open in 2021, as scheduled, on the $1.9 billion budget."
The article also includes an update on the city's other tunnel boring machines, including Brenda, which "has already passed the U District Station, heading south toward Husky Stadium." The infamous Bertha is idle once again, after a sinkhole opened near its path in January.
FULL STORY: Another Seattle tunnel drill (not Bertha) damaged, needs repair
Seattle Light Rail Extension Already Beating Ridership Expectations
The new Sound Transit light rail link between downtown, Capitol Hill, and the University of Washington is already drawing a crowd.
Seattle's New Light Rail Line Proving Good for Business
Since a March opening greeted with fanfare for its on-time and under budget delivery, local business are crediting the new light rail line connecting Downtown Seattle to Capitol Hill with big sales bumps.
Light Rail Extension Opens on Saturday in Seattle
A $1.9 billion light rail extension, connecting to the University of Washington campus and the Capitol Hill neighborhood, will open to the public this weekend.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie