American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) recently moved a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) on M/V ARC Integrity, discharging in Port Newark, New Jersey. Once assembled, the TBM will be used in the Narragansett Bay Commission’s (NBC) Pawtucket Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Tunnel project, also known as “RestoredWaters RI”.
The Pawtucket Tunnel is the centerpiece of Phase III of the NBC’s CSO Abatement Program and will consist of a 2.2-mile long, 30-ft wide, 125-ft deep tunnel which will eventually store and transport storm-related sewage to the NBC’s Bucklin Point Wastewater Treatment Facility for full treatment before entering open waterways.
RestoredWaters RI is the largest public works project in Rhode Island history – Phases I and II of the project were responsible for dramatic improvements in water quality in upper Narragansett Bay and Providence’s urban rivers. When the Pawtucket tunnel is complete, storm-related sewage discharges from the area will have decreased by 93 percent.
“Water quality in Narragansett Bay has come a long way in recent decades, and RestoredWaters RI will build on that progress,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. “This project is an investment in making sure the next generation of Rhode Islanders can grow up in a safe environment with clean beaches, a thriving ocean, and healthy fisheries.”
“This was a great team effort moving this specialized boring machine, further demonstrating ARC’s uniquely capable and flexible U.S.-flag fleet in support of the Restored Waters CSO project”, noted Christopher Barber, ARC’s Sr Director Sales and project lead for the TBM project.
M/V ARC Integrity is among the most capable Roll-On Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) ships in the U.S.-flag fleet with a stern ramp rated to carry loads weighing up to 240 metric tons (MTs), main deck height of 6.5 meters (21.32 ft), and 198,370 square feet of militarily useful capacity.