Learn about progress on the DigIndy Tunnel System and check out this year's art project.
Work to Begin Soon on the Final Segment of Tunnel System
Five of the six segments of the DigIndy Tunnel System now have been mined. This equates to about 75 percent of the total 28-mile system. Mining on the last section, the Pleasant Run Tunnel, is expected to begin by the end of the year, after the Tunnel Boring Machine is refurbished. To-date, the 10-mile section of the system that is fully operational has prevented more than 2 billion gallons of combined sewer overflow from entering area waterways.
Numerous departments across the Trust recently came together for the submission and subsequent approval of a Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) for our Consent Decree program. This approval, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), is a tremendous accomplishment for Citizens as it indicates Citizens will comply with the U.S. Clean Water Act when we complete our Consent Decree investments. Approval of the UAA, the first such approval in the nation for a utility, represents an endorsement of our Consent Decree solutions for cleaner waterways while providing greater regulatory and cost certainty for our customers.
Back in August, we asked for input from our employees and members of the community to help inspire the 2020 DigIndy Art Project. Thank you to all of those who responded to the survey this summer!
Just like DigIndy will help improve our waterways, the DigIndy Art Project enhances our community with art. This year, we chose to create a single mural by partnering with Big Car Collaborative, a nonprofit art organization, and gathering community input for the design.
For the past two years, this effort has beautified manholes across Indy with public art designed and hand-painted by local artists. For this year’s project, one of those artists, Ess McKee, designed the mural as part of a mentorship opportunity hosted by Andy Fry, Big Car’s Creative Director.
The finished mural is displayed on the Citizens Pump House at the corner of Meridian Street and Westfield Boulevard in Indianapolis. You are encouraged to go check it out at 5706 N. Meridian St. or watch a short video about the project at www.DigIndyTunnel.com/Art.