Learn about tunnel construction for Brightwater pipelines at public meetings in Kenmore, Bothell, Shoreline

2004 Archived News

King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division has scheduled community meetings in Kenmore, Bothell and Shoreline to discuss tunnel construction for the Brightwater Treatment Plant in south Snohomish County.

About 16 miles of tunnels will be built to and from the plant site north of Woodinville and extending to the outfall site off Point Wells in Puget Sound. Tunnel construction will take place mostly below 195th Street in King County from State Route 522 in Woodinville to Interstate 5 and along the King-Snohomish County line from I-5 to Point Wells.

At the community meetings, Brightwater staff and consultants will share information about what people can expect before, during and after Brightwater tunnel construction:

Wednesday, March 24

Northshore Utility District office

6830 N.E. 185th Street, Kenmore

Tuesday, March 30

University of Washington at Bothell

Building 2, Room 2005

18115 Campus Way N.E.

Thursday, April 1

Shoreline Conference Center

Shoreline Room

18560 First Ave. N.E.

The meetings will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The first half hour will be an open house where people can view informational displays and meet project staff. An hour-long presentation starts at 7 p.m., followed by a question and answer period.

The Brightwater system will treat wastewater from homes, businesses, schools and offices in south Snohomish County and north King County. Brightwater facilities need to be operating by 2010 to serve the growing population in the service area. Wastewater is now treated at plants miles away in Renton and Seattle.

Most pipeline construction will use tunnel-boring machines working 40 to 455 feet underground. Because of the tunnel depths and geological conditions, people will be aware of tunnel constructions at only five portal sites. The portals are access points where workers, materials and equipment will enter and exit the tunnels.

To get more information or arrange reasonable meeting accommodations for people with disabilities, call the Brightwater project office at 206-684-6799, 1-877-707-8571 (toll free), or 711 (TTY).

King County's Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 18 cities, 15 sewer districts and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. The regional public utility has been preventing water pollution for nearly 40 years.