SIXTY YEARS OF ROCK TUNNELING IN CHICAGO

FOR MORE THAN 60 YRS CHICAGO HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTING TUNNELS IN ROCK, CLAY AND GLACIAL DRIFT FOR ITS UNDERGROUND UTILITIES INCLUDING WATER SUPPLY, DISTRIBUTION AND SEWERAGE. OF THE CITY'S 72.3 MILES OF WATER TUNNELS IN SERVICE, OR AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE IN 1971, 57.6 MILES WERE CONSTRUCTED IN ROCK. THE HISTORY AND METHODS OF ROCK TUNNELING, SUCH AS MOLE-MINING, ARE REVIEWED. THE COMBINED UNDERFLOE-STORAGE PLAN, WHICH CALLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF LARGE ROCK TUNNELS UNDER THE SURFACE WATERWAYS TO COLLECT AND STORE SPILLAGES FROM COMBINED SEWERS, IS ANALYZED. THESE LARGE TUNNELS WOULD HAVE THE DUAL PURPOSE OF STORAGE AND CONVEYANCE. THE PLAN ALSO WOULD MEET ILLINOIS STANDARDS FOR WATER QUALITY AND PROVIDE FLOOD CONTROL BENEFITS WHICH MUCH LESS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE THAN BY SEPARATION OF SANITARY AND STORM SEWERS OR ANY OTHER METHOD YET PROPOSED. GREAT PROGRESS IN THE ECONOMICS AND TECHNOLOGY OF ROCK TUNNELING IS FORESEEN AS CHICAGO IMPLEMENTS CONSTRUCTION OF PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS IN THE 1970'S. /ASCE/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Vol 97, No C02, PROC PAPER 8504, PP 189-210, 21 FIG, 2 TAB
• Authors:
  • Pikarsky, M
• Publication Date: 1971-11

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Journal of the Construction Division

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction; Excavation and tunneling; Rocks; Sewers; Tunneling; Tunnels; Water tunnels
• Old TRIS Terms: Rock tunneling
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00215475
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 20 1972 12:00AM