Tunnel Blasting Operational Changes Improve Mitigation

In early June, crews began working 20 hours a day (two 10-hour shifts) to ensure the project remains on schedule. This work includes construction of a 2,000-foot tunnel under the main dam’s right (east) abutment to both fill and deliver water from the reservoir. Excavation of the tunnel’s downstream portion began in early April and will take about 10 months, followed by an 11-month process to excavate the tunnel’s upstream portion.  

Barnard and the Municipal Subdistrict recently made significant changes to blasting operations to further mitigate noise and impacts to the Chimney Hollow community. We will continue to address these challenges on a daily basis. Beginning on June 22, 2022, blasting moved to a window of 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., with a target of 8 a.m., to enable the completion of critical daily work. Weekly blasting schedules will be posted by 5 p.m. each Friday to the Construction webpage.