ALEXANDRIA, Va. — For 16 months, a 360-ton tunnel-boring machine, affectionately named Hazel has drilled underneath Old Town, Alexandria. When she came up for air last week, she marked a big milestone in a massive project to clean up Alexandria's wastewater.
Hazel's tunnel is one of the major parts of AlexRenew's "RiverRenew" project, carefully constructing a 2.2-mile tunnel under Old Town and the Potomac River. The tunnel, left in Hazel's wake, will prevent millions of gallons of combined sewage from polluting the region’s waterways.
Named after environmental activist Hazel Johnson, the machine's goal is to solve one of Alexandria’s biggest environmental issues since the city was built.
“When it rains, the main pipes fills with both rainwater and sewage causing overflows of harmful bacteria and pollution to the Potomac River and its tributaries,” said Justin Carl, the CEO for Alexandria’s wastewater utility AlexRenew.
On Wednesday, Hazel “broke through” a 100-foot-deep shaft immediately south of Oronoco Bay. This shaft will collect combined sewage overflows from an existing outfall and direct these flows to AlexRenew through the new 12-foot-wide, 100-foot-deep tunnel. The tunnel largely follows Alexandria’s waterfront before taking a sharp easterly bend in Jones Point Park, and then it’s a relatively straight shot back to AlexRenew below Church Street. This milestone signifies a crucial connection point, as it marks the integration of AlexRenew’s wastewater plant with all four of Alexandria’s combined sewer outfalls that date back to the 1860s.
“The collective efforts of our team to achieve this momentous milestone are nothing short of awe-inspiring," Carl said. "Their dedication and perseverance pave the way for a brighter future for the Potomac River and its surrounding communities."
But the ambitious project isn't done yet. Additional work includes the completion of a smaller sewer line along Hooffs Run, fitting out the massive drop shafts, and constructing a 12-story underground pumping station at AlexRenew. Work is anticipated to last through 2025.
On Tuesday, WUSA9 took a tour of one of the outflows that AlexRenew is building.
"What you see is the beginnings of the structure that will divert the sewage that would normally go into the river, instead it will get diverted to the tunnel," Mike Krulc, the area manager for RiverRenew project said.
Krulc said his team is constructing several new concrete outflows across Old Town to divert the stormwater when it rains into Hazel's tunnel.
As far as Hazel goes, with the tunnel complete her work is done.
“We have some welders down there, welding (devices on to hold her) so we can hoist her out in the next couple days," Krulc said.
“While Hazel is just a machine, she has embodied the heart and grit of our team, and like her namesake, has set a foundation for a healthier environment for our community, wildlife, and future generations,” Carl said.
As far what is next for Hazel? Her future isn't as certain as her last 16 months.
“She could retire for good to the scrap yard in the sky, or who knows," Krulc said. "If anyone wants to buy a tunnel boring machine, she’s for sale.”
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