State: Contractor can resume excavation of pit to reach broken tunneling machine

SEATTLE (AP) -- State transportation officials have given Seattle Tunnel Partners the OK to resume excavation on a pit being dug to reach Bertha, the broken tunneling machine.

Digging was stopped last week after monitoring systems detected more than an inch of ground settlement near the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project. But on Tuesday, state officials said their data shows the sinking has stabilized and digging can start up again Tuesday evening.

Bertha stopped work on the 2-mile tunnel last December and repairs are needed before drilling can resume.