North End

In late 2014, all eyes will be fixed on the dirt near Sixth Avenue North and Harrison Street. There, Bertha, the world’s largest-diameter tunneling machine, will emerge from the soils beneath Seattle. Tunneling won’t start until summer 2013, but crews are already preparing for Bertha’s arrival.

Our interactive simulation shows you how this area will change during construction. 

Excavation underway at the tunnel’s north end

We've started digging a 80-foot-deep pit in the work zone near Sixth Avenue North and Harrison Street, where our tunnel boring machine will end its journey in late 2014. Crews have been building underground walls to support the pit since February.  

Other construction in the area

As you may have noticed, the north end is bustling with construction activity. In addition to tunnel construction, our partners at the City of Seattle are making great progress on the Mercer Corridor Project. We’re coordinating closely with their construction, and will continue to do so as we move forward.