New York City Water Tunnel No. 3
July 29, 2006 6:51 PM Subscribe
New York City Water Tunnel No. 3 has been under construction since 1970 and completion is expected in 2020. (Be sure to click the sidebars.) City Water Tunnels Nos. 1 and 2 have been operating continuously since 1917 and 1936, and currently cannot be shut down for repair without disrupting the city's water supply. Popular Mechanics and BLDBLOG have articles, Newsday has photos, and 60 Minutes has an article with video. Local paper The Villager covers the construction of one of the many shafts that connect to the tunnel. It has inspired a one-woman show. The Sandhog Project covers the workers, called "Sandhogs," with photos, sound, and video. Over twenty sandhogs died building the tunnel.
[This is good] I love projects like this; they have such far-reaching consequences, such amazing goals, and a majesty about them that is indescribable. I'd LOVE to take a tour of Tunnel No. 3 someday; thanks for all the links.
posted by delfuego at 7:52 PM on July 29, 2006
posted by delfuego at 7:52 PM on July 29, 2006
Very good post. Was just thinking about sandhogs the other day. Thanks.
posted by Miko at 8:29 PM on July 29, 2006
posted by Miko at 8:29 PM on July 29, 2006
Yes, the building process IS fascinating. Folks should also realize that it’s from UPSTATE New York that water will be transported through this new tunnel (as well as the old tunnels). And NYC's neglect of the dams for which it is responsible for -- particularly Gilboa dam has been the source of a lot of agita for folks all along the Schoharie creek and the Mohawk River into which the creek flows. Count me in on that agita.
I love NYC but next time you turn on the tap, think about us when the water comes out. :)
posted by bim at 8:39 PM on July 29, 2006
I love NYC but next time you turn on the tap, think about us when the water comes out. :)
posted by bim at 8:39 PM on July 29, 2006
That was indeed a boring machine! Thanks, this was interesting to say the least. I was indeed wondering if this was the tunnel from Die Hard; thanks, smackfu. Nils is dead!
posted by Eideteker at 8:01 AM on July 30, 2006
posted by Eideteker at 8:01 AM on July 30, 2006
I didn't think that machine was boring at all.
posted by jewzilla at 8:39 AM on July 30, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by jewzilla at 8:39 AM on July 30, 2006 [1 favorite]
This Side of Brightness featured the Sandhogs in one of its plot lines.
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:20 AM on July 30, 2006
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:20 AM on July 30, 2006
"the finest and foremost water delivery system in the world "
Why is it tha you yanks always have to insert this sort of utter tosh?
posted by wilful at 4:49 PM on July 30, 2006
Why is it tha you yanks always have to insert this sort of utter tosh?
posted by wilful at 4:49 PM on July 30, 2006
Interestingly, the tunnel is a scene-set in Spider Robinson's recently republished Night Of Power, originally written in the early 80s.
posted by baylink at 5:59 PM on July 30, 2006
posted by baylink at 5:59 PM on July 30, 2006
wilful: that sort of crap is endemic in government statements of achievement the world over.
posted by Pinback at 8:10 PM on July 31, 2006
posted by Pinback at 8:10 PM on July 31, 2006
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posted by intermod at 7:39 PM on July 29, 2006