ConDig (10-Mar–21) Civil contractor and construction materials producer Granite Construction has secured a $267 million contract to build a water tunnel in Columbus, Ohio.

Under the deal with the City of Columbus, the Watsonville, California-based company will construct a tunnel of about 17,000 feet and 144-inch hand-mined diameter that will be mined with a tunnel boring machine and constructed of precast concrete segments. 

The main tunnel will be constructed of concrete segments with three main shafts at Tuttle Park north of Lane Avenue, Gowdy Field near Third Avenue and Olentangy River Road, and Vine Street.

Granite said that the Lower Olentangy Tunnel (LOT) project aims to improve water quality and reduce the risk of exposure of humans to waterborne pollutants by reducing overflows from the sewer system into creeks and rivers during flooding.

Construction is expected to kick off this month and slated for completion in December 2026.

“We have had an excellent relationship with the City of Columbus and are happy to once again work on their tunnel systems,” said Granite division vice president James Nickerson. 

“Since this project dovetails into a tunnel project we completed for the City of Columbus approximately five years ago, we have a clear understanding of the project and our client’s expectations.”

In January, Granite was selected as one of five contractors to participate in a $750 million multiple award to upgrade waterfront facilities to support Navy vessels and port operations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.

In December, Granite secured a $101 million construction manager contract for the revamp of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara, California.

Granite Construction secured an $18 million deal in November to provide sub-contract work on the revamp of the University of California, Santa Cruz.