New tunnel project administrator optimistic despite delays and cost overruns

SEATTLE — Beneath ventilation stacks for the new State Route 99 tunnel painted with a color named "confidence yellow," Joe Hedges, the new tunnel project administrator for the state, talked positively about joining a project that has had many problems.

"This is one of the major civil projects in the United States and it's just a privilege to be associated with it," Hedges said.

Hedges has worked in engineering and large scale construction for 30 years.

He took over from Todd Trepanier, now a regional administrator for the Washington State Department of Transportation in Yakima.

"We're seeing great results almost every day now," Hedges said.

Bertha is digging from Pioneer Square to South Lake Union, and is now approaching Union Street beneath First Avenue.

The machine has traveled 4,070 of 9,270 feet, nearing the halfway point.

"I'm very optimistic, we're making a transition into some new soil types that's going relatively smoothly, so I'm confident that we can probably continue at the same rate we're going," Hedges said.

Still, after Bertha broke down in 2013, the project is now three years behind schedule, with the tunnel now not expected to open until early 2019.

Last month, state officials revealed they're over budget, and need at least another $60 million, possibly as much as

$223 million, to cover the cost of delays.

KIRO 7's Graham Johnson asked Hedges about the biggest risk at this point in the project.

"The biggest risk at this point is bringing all the pieces at the end together and smoothly opening," Hedges answered, referring to the smaller contracts still ahead to make sure the roads tie together around the tunnel and all the systems work.

Cox Media Group