{"id":108179,"date":"2021-06-30T14:15:38","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T18:15:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=108179"},"modified":"2021-06-30T16:31:39","modified_gmt":"2021-06-30T20:31:39","slug":"mamajo-has-reached-foster-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2021\/06\/30\/mamajo-has-reached-foster-park\/","title":{"rendered":"MamaJo has reached Foster Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MamaJo\"<\/p>\n

Today, after pounding through nearly five miles of bedrock over three years, MamaJo, the Tunnel Boring Machine, called it a day.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mayor Henry celebrates MamaJo for job well done<\/strong>
\nTunnel Complete, Connections Coming Soon
\nProtecting Neighborhoods, Preserving Our Rivers<\/em><\/p>\n

Fort Wayne, Indiana (June 30, 2021) \u2013 Pounding through nearly five miles of bedrock over three years, MamaJo, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) called it a day, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Mayor Tom Henry joined dozens of neighborhood leaders, tunnel and utility workers, and City Council members to celebrate the deep rock tunnel milestone. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m encouraged and impressed by the work that\u2019s being done to protect neighborhoods and preserve our rivers through the MamaJo investment,\u201d said Mayor Henry. \u201cToday\u2019s deep rock tunnel accomplishment sends a strong message that Fort Wayne is committed to reducing combined sewer overflows. It\u2019s also vital that we continue to be proactive and innovative in order to be a high-performing city that\u2019s meeting the needs of residents, neighborhoods and businesses now and in the future.\u201d <\/p>\n

Digging through bedrock to create a 16-foot diameter pipe that would store and transport sewage during heavy rain events, MamaJo often worked three straight shifts over multiple days during her journey 220 feet below the Earth’s surface. <\/p>\n

Her journey began near Glasgow and Dwenger Avenue and wound underground, connecting 14 neighborhoods on both sides of the river to Foster Park.<\/p>\n

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Map of the route MamaJo took while constructing the 3RPORT Three Rivers Protection and Overflow Reduction Tunnel under Fort Wayne.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“When connected in 2023, the tunnel will benefit the entire community by protecting our rivers from combined sewer overflows,” said Matthew Wirtz, Deputy Director of City Utilities. “The tunnel will reduce the amount of combined sewer overflow going into our rivers by 94 percent, nearly 900 billion gallons on average each year. When connected by the end of 2023, the tunnel will protect about 45,000 residents and 15,000 properties from basement back-ups and street flooding,” <\/p>\n

Currently, when it rains, combined sewage overflows into our rivers an average of 72 times per year. When the tunnel is completed and connected by the end of 2023, most of the overflow will go to our Water Pollution Control Plant for treatment and keep nearly one billion gallons of combined sewage out of our rivers. <\/p>\n

“We appreciate the support of Mayor Henry, the City Council, and the many residents and neighborhoods who have supported this important project. Indeed, protecting and strengthening our neighborhoods is essential. But, still, we can also see that our investments are supporting a river renaissance and economic growth in the community,” said Kumar Menon, Director of City Utilities. “River popularity is evident, with hundreds of kayakers, canoers, and other boat users on our waterways each day. Residents are embracing our rivers, as is evident with the usage at Promenade Park.” <\/p>\n

The Deep Rock Tunnel is the largest construction and public investment project in the City\u2019s history. The $188 million investment is designed with a life expectancy of more than 100 years. World renowned construction contractors S.A. Healy\/Lane Construction, and Salini Impregilo, partnered to construct the tunnel. The companies have built deep-rock tunnels in more than 50 countries.<\/p>\n

Quick Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n