The Black River Tunnel is a combined sewage overflow (CSO) storage tunnel that extends through bedrock over 150 feet below ground along the bank of the Black River, helping to keep sewage overflows out of the Black River and Lake Erie. ​ 

Back in 2008, NTH was chosen to provide geotechnical and tunnel engineering services, including a two-phase geotechnical and hydrogeologic investigation, design of the temporary and permanent liner systems for the tunnels and shafts, preparation of technical specifications, and opinions of probable construction costs. NTH assisted the City of Lorain with initial route planning for the tunnel. Based largely on NTH’s advice and input from the City, the team chose an alignment which maximized the use of the City’s existing easements and eliminated crossings under the Black River. 

Over the next few years, NTH completed a two-phase geotechnical investigation which included over 900 lineal feet of soil drilling and 1,300 lineal feet of rock drilling. With the field investigation underway, the NTH Tunnel Team began designing the primary and secondary lining systems for both the tunnel and the shaft structures. Construction began in 2012.

Now the over one-mile-long, 23-foot diameter Black River Tunnel is nearing completion. The 19-foot diameter cast-in-place final tunnel lining is expected to be complete in April, and the concrete lining of the shafts is nearly finished as well. Final completion is scheduled for December 2016.

Over the last month, NTH has given back and supported our communities in many ways.  Below are some of the highlights.