After months of progress updates, the Clackamas County's tunnel boring machine (TBM) dubbed "Clack-A-Mole" has finally completed its journey, according to an official update from the project's website. On December 2nd, Clack-A-Mole achieved a significant milestone as it finished the ½-mile excavation required for the new outfall pipeline, which will safely carry treated water from the Tri-City Water Resource Recovery Facility to the Willamette River. This complex engineering feat was closely followed by both officials and residents, marking a new chapter in the region's infrastructure development.
Moving beneath the earth with a precision that seemed to defy its massive size, Clack-A-Mole is no average piece of machinery, stretching 51 feet in length and weighing a formidable 225,000 lbs. Despite a slow start, with a mere 12% completion noted on September 12, the TBM was steady in its mission, making headlines by October 1 with a remarkable 44% completion rate while removing the equivalent of 27 cubic yards of soil for every 10 feet mined. All updates leading to its final push under the river were meticulously documented on the county's website.
The machine's performance and its associated construction work at the Tri-City Water Resource Recovery Facility had been detailed throughout its operation, with pictures capturing milestones, such as the moment the engineer stood next to the nine-foot-diameter pipes to provide scale. These behind-the-scenes peeks, including a video captured on July 25, 2024, were shared to give the public an insight into the scale and progress of the construction work.
Tri-City officials have been excited about the project since its inception, engaging the community by inviting them to name the TBM – ultimately landing on "Clack-A-Mole." The excitement surrounding this project was palpable from the start, as seen in the August 15 update that showcased staff and guests proudly posing with Clack-A-Mole before it disappeared below ground to embark on its critical mission. Additionally, the project is not just necessary for water management but also represents a substantial technological achievement for both the local area and the field of civil engineering.
With the boring phase now complete, the focus shifts to the retrieval of the TBM and the next stages of the Outfall Project. Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) is expected to provide updates on the removal process and further construction activities as they prepare to integrate the new outfall pipeline into the county's water treatment infrastructure.
