The DigIndy Tunnel System was named the winner of the 2021 Tunnel Achievement Award for Project Excellence by Tunnel Business Magazine.
Established in 2012, this award recognizes projects that demonstrate innovation and teamwork and provide benefits to the community.
Mike Miller, Manager, Underground Engineering & Construction, accepted the award at the annual Breakthroughs in Tunnel Short Course in mid-September at the University of Denver.
The project was featured in the August 2021 issue of the magazine, which highlighted the excavation records set during tunneling. By completing two segments of the tunnel system ahead of schedule, Citizens was able to realize water quality benefits while the other segments still were being constructed. Miller noted that open communication with contractor Shea-Kiewit Joint Venture has played a role in the success of the project to date.
Five of the six tunnel segments are completely mined, and the final segment is about 20 percent excavated. As of September 2021, more than 2.5 billion gallons of sewage has been prevented from entering local waterways.
“It’s an honor to receive the Tunnel Achievement Award and be recognized for the way we’ve stayed ahead of schedule and under budget,” said Jeffrey Harrison, President & CEO. “Though the DigIndy Tunnel System won’t be fully operational until 2025, the open portion is already having a significant positive impact on our community’s waterways.”
