'Bertha' anchored in Elliott Bay

SEATTLE -- The world's largest tunnel boring machine is within sight, but when it will dock is unknown.

The machine, dubbed "Bertha," was scheduled to dock Friday morning at Terminal 46, but will not be unloaded and will remain on board the Jumbo Fairpartner, which is anchored in Elliott Bay, said Linea Laird, SDOT program administrator.

"Arrangements are still being made to unload the ship," a statement issued by Laird said. No other specifics as to the cause, or length, or the delay were issued.

As part of its contract with WSDOT, Seattle Tunnel Partners is supposed to complete the SR 99 tunnel by December 2015. The contract includes building, transporting and operating "Bertha."