ALBANY PARK — Recent storms have caused major flooding in Chicago's suburbs, which got us wondering: How's work coming along on the Albany Park Storm Water Diversion Tunnel?
The Chicago Department of Transportation shared underground images of the tunnel borer at work, and the outlet shaft near Foster and Francisco avenues.
When complete, the tunnel will run for approximately one mile, 150-feet below Foster Avenue. The pipe will divert overflow from the Chicago River away from homes in Albany Park and North Park, releasing the water into the North Shore Channel downstream.
According to CDOT, the borer has chewed its way from the outlet through 2,850 feet of rock, and is now just west of Kimball.
The most recent forecast from the National Weather Service projects the Chicago River will crest at 5.7 feet Thursday evening. Flood stage is seven feet. The river's highest historic crest, which occurred in April 2013, is 8.85 feet.
[Chicago Department of Transportation]
