Workers prepare to lift part of tunnel machine out of pit

SEATTLE (AP) — The contractors building a tunnel under Seattle have invited the media to a special viewing of Bertha, the world's largest tunnel boring machine, as they prepare to put it out of a pit for repairs.

Bertha broke down in December 2013 and workers have dug a 120-foot-deep pit to reach the front of the machine. On Monday, members of the media will have access to the pit and see Bertha's front end up close.

Now that Bertha is inside the pit, workers plan to pull the front of the machine off and bring it up to the surface in three pieces where it will be fixed.

Seattle Tunnel Partners Chris Dixon plans to explain their plans for the repair in detail.