710 Study San Rafael Neighborhood Posts: Discussing Seattle TBM repair strategy

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Discussing Seattle TBM repair strategy

http://www.tunneltalk.com/Seattle-Alaskan-Way-29July2014-TBM-Bertha-repairs-Podcast.php

By Peter Kenyon, July 30, 2014

(See website for a podcast.)

With the world’s largest TBM idle in the ground following the well-publicized failure of the bearing seals that protect its main bearing, a high-level delegation from the project’s contractor team of Dragados and Tutor Perini (Seattle Tunnel Partners), journeyed to Japan for urgent talks with senior representatives of the machine’s manufacturer, Hitachi Zosen.

Project Manager Chris Dixon (STP)

Among those present at the talks were STP Project Manager Chris Dixon, who spoke in detail to TunnelTalk about the nature of the repairs being carried out, the “aggressive” repair schedule, enhancements that are to be made to the machine, and the sealing of a deal that will see Hitachi Zosen bearing the cost of TBM repairs for the time being. STP, for its part, will assume responsibility for costs associated with excavation of the recovery shaft through which access will be gained to the 17.48m diameter machine’s cutterhead, main bearing, bearing block and ruptured sealing system.
Dixon also answers questions relating to STP’s claim request against the client, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), for US$125 million of extra contractual charges associated with the repair of the machine under the provisions of a “change order” clause in the design-build contract. WSDOT has strongly rejected this claim, though STP is likely to contest this further down the line.