The regional tunnel system is a critical component of the Clean Water Plan (CWP), which was adopted to meet the requirements of the Federal Modified Consent Decree and improve and protect the water quality of the region’s streams and rivers.

No, the tunnel system is adding new conveyance capacity to deliver combined sewage flows during wet weather events to the ALCOSAN wastewater treatment plant for treatment. The existing municipal and ALCOSAN sewers will continue to be utilized to transport sewage to the ALCOSAN wastewater treatment plant.

The new tunnel system is designed to last for at least 100 years. Operation and maintenance staff from ALCOSAN will be responsible for maintaining it. The tunnels will be accessed for maintenance via the access shafts.

Capturing “all” the overflows would not be affordable for the region. The tunnel system is configured and sized to capture enough of the combined sewer overflows to meet water quality objectives. The size of the tunnels was established in collaboration with the regulatory agencies.

The Clean Water Plan and the tunnel system is not intended to stop existing flooding conditions in the communities. The primary goal of the CWP and the tunnel system is to improve and protect the water quality of our rivers and streams.

Subsidence is not a concern along the ALCOSAN tunnel alignment because the tunnels will be located deep in bedrock.

ALCOSAN is a ratepayer funded authority and most of the CWP costs will need to be borne by the ratepayers. ALCOSAN’s rate strategy manages CWP cost impacts to ratepayers by implementing multi-year rate increases through 2036. ALCOSAN’s Board of Directors implemented a 7.0% annual rate increase for 2022 through 2026. ALCOSAN acknowledges the impacts of rate increases on low-income households and has increased the Clean Water Assistance Fund to $40/quarter. More information on the Clean Water Assistance Fund can be found at dollarenergy.org.

Sites will be restored to the existing condition at a minimum but may also be improved. Limited above ground facilities will be required as ALCOSAN will use the sites mostly to access the shafts and regulators via hatches and covers. As the design and construction of each tunnel progresses, ALCOSAN works with the community to determine potential opportunities for site enhancement following construction, which may include a paved surface or a cleared site for a greenspace.  

The new tunnel system must be constructed near existing sewers pick-up points to capture combined sewer overflows. This is a key factor in deciding on location of the proposed facilities. Other decision factors include environmental studies and geotechnical investigations.

Email ALCOSAN at ORT@alcosan.org with questions or comments about the regional tunnel system, including the Ohio River Tunnel.

Construction at each tunnel construction site is anticipated to last between 2 to 5 years. Overall, the program will span 15 years.

Several shafts will be in construction at the same time to meet the construction schedule, although not necessarily all.

It is anticipated that the soil and rock from the shafts and tunnels will be trucked to landfills for proper disposal.

Dust control is part of the overall erosion and sediment control requirements. The contractors will be required to monitor, control, and mitigate construction-generated dust. Mitigation measures may include water mist, covered stockpiles, street sweeping, and suspending construction activities in very windy conditions

In general, the depth of the tunnel and construction method in rock mean that noise and vibration would not be noticeable at the surface. ALCOSAN and its designers will include specifications in the contract documents to limit noise and vibrations around the shaft and near surface facility construction sites.

The tunnel contractors will be required to monitor, control, or mitigate volume of construction activities sounds in accordance with local regulations. ALCOSAN, its designers and contractors will follow industry standards and best practices in terms of working hours, noise control measures and monitoring. Noise control measures may include equipment siting, acoustic screening, choice of routes for transport and hauling, and scheduling of activities/working hours.

In general, the depth of the tunnel and construction method in rock mean that vibration would not be noticeable at the surface. For construction of the shafts, ALCOSAN and its designers will include specific requirements in the contract documents to prevent vibratory impacts to existing structures as well as monitor ground movement and vibration.

Construction is anticipated to have some traffic impacts; these impacts will vary greatly depending on construction sites. ALCOSAN is preparing a Maintenance and Protection of Traffic Plan for each site to minimize traffic disruptions and obtain necessary approvals. In general, ALCOSAN will work with the contractors to minimize the use of local roads to quickly reach the highways. During construction, ALCOSAN will be providing advance notice of potential impacts, weekly construction alerts via various media, and information on alternative routes required per the Maintenance and Protection of Traffic Plans.

During construction, the sites will be fenced off to limit access to the construction site. After construction is completed access to the shafts will be limited to manhole structures like typical sewer systems.

ALCOSAN has identified major community groups along the alignment and has contacted them for outreach and engagement. We are also working with the municipalities and elected officials along the tunnel alignment. We will be talking with the community organizations throughout the design and construction process. If you represent a community organization and would like to have ALCOSAN present at one of your community meetings, please email us at ORT@alcosan.org.

ALCOSAN has had a strong scholastic program for many years and will be working on integrating information regarding the regional tunnel system into the program.

See “Construction Schedule and Impact” FAQs

ALCOSAN does not anticipate any building restrictions above the tunnel due to its depth. Subterranean easements will be needed along the tunnel alignment, but this will have no impact on surface activities and the landowners’ ability to sell or develop their land. The only development restrictions will be above the shafts/regulators as ALCOSAN will need continued access to these structures. If repairs are needed on the tunnel, ALCOSAN would access the tunnel through these locations.

Some property acquisitions and easements will be needed beyond the property ALCOSAN currently owns. Eminent domain is not the preferred option and ALCOSAN has been working with property owners on an individual basis through its property acquisition team.

The regional tunnel system is anticipated to support over 14,000 jobs between 2021 and 2036 based on a 2021 study by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. These jobs have been and will continue to span various sectors, including jobs in engineering and construction, but also local businesses such as restaurants and hotels. 

ALCOSAN will not be hiring directly for construction work; the workforce will be hired by prime contractors and their subcontractors for each tunnel project or subproject. Contractors are anticipated to work with the local trade Unions per ALCOSAN’s Labor Stabilization Agreement, including laborers, operating engineers, electricians, carpenters, and teamsters. ALCOSAN has been proactive at advertising the project with engineering firms and contractors, including regional, local, and minority or women disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE). In general, the construction sectors that will be involved include:

• Tunnel work
• Building demolition
• CAD services
• Concrete supply
• Environmental testing
• Equipment rental
• Fencing
• Instrumentation and controls
• Landscaping
• Materials testing
• Mechanical and electrical work
• Office trailer set up
• Painting
• Permitting support
• Plumbing work
• Printing
• Security services
• Signage
• Site improvements (paving, concrete flat work, curb and gutter)
• Specialty welding services
• Structural concrete work
• Traffic control
• Trucking
• Utility relocation and construction (water, sewer, etc.)
• Vendors (fuel deliveries, tire repair services, trash hauling, janitorial services, safety supplies, welding supplies, sanitary services)

ALCOSAN has also reached out to the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania and other organizations to share information about the program. In addition, ALCOSAN is planning to engage with the local trade unions mentioned above about what types of training will be needed for the tunnel construction.

ALCOSAN will work with contractors to minimize the impact of the construction activities at and around the construction sites to the local communities. In addition, ALCOSAN will make project updates available and communicate information about traffic, road and trail closures, and any other disturbance well in advance. See “Construction Schedule and Impact” FAQs for more information.

See “How many jobs will be created? In what sectors?” FAQ for discussion about opportunities for local businesses.

ALCOSAN has an MBE/WBE policy that strongly encourages prime companies to award 10-25% of total contract value to certified MWDBE. ALCOSAN also has a policy that encourages companies to issue 3% of total contract value to VA/SBA-certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) under professional service contracts. These policies apply to all regional tunnel system professional services and construction contracts.

Job opportunities associated with the construction of the tunnel system are anticipated to come mostly from the contractors and subcontractors. See “How many jobs will be created? In what sectors?” FAQ for additional information and ALCOSAN-led activities.

Information about job opportunities at ALCOSAN can be found at https://careers.alcosan.org/.

Making the City and surrounding municipalities more resilient to climate change is not the primary goal of the CWP and/or the tunnel system. The primary goal of the CWP and/or the tunnel system is to improve and protect the water quality of our rivers and streams. See FAQ on impact of increased rainfall.

Since ALCOSAN is not party to the municipal orders, this question is best answered by your municipality. ALCOSAN is fully committed to working collaboratively with your municipality to ensure the municipality has a full understanding of the ALCOSAN program. The current municipal orders allow for the municipalities to take credit for the projects that ALCOSAN has committed to in the Modified Consent Decree through 2036.

This possibility was evaluated as part of the CWP. It was concluded that replacing the tunnel system using green infrastructure and source control would not be feasible given the volumes of overflow reduction required to meet the water quality objectives and completion schedule.

The regulatory agencies agreed that ALCOSAN should move forward with the tunnel system while continuing to invest in GSI and source control through our GROW program and gave more time to ALCOSAN to do so. The information to be collected through the GROW program must be continuously analyzed by ALCOSAN to evaluate the potential impact on the tunnel system and make relevant adjustments.

For compliance with EPA’s CSO Policy and ALCOSAN’s Consent Decree, the tunnel system must be designed to achieve a specific performance level during a typical year rainfall as defined in the CWP. The typical year rainfall is based on historical data, consistent with the EPA’s guidance. While the tunnel is being designed to typical year conditions, the tunnel system will capture additional flows during years with higher than typical year precipitation totals.

In general, the tunnel system once constructed is anticipated to improve aquatic biodiversity by reducing combined sewage overflows and improving overall water quality.  The design will incorporate biodiversity mitigation measures as part of the permitting process where needed.

The potential presence and protection of cultural resources is an important consideration for the ORT project. As part of the project permitting process, ALCOSAN has been working diligently with the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office to identify such potential historic properties so that any potential adverse effect can be identified and mitigated as part of the project specifications. Several listed or eligible properties, including the Western State Penitentiary, the D.L. Clark Building, and the St Wenceslaus Church complex, have already been identified. ALCOSAN is planning to conduct additional evaluation for specific sites. These project considerations and evaluations are dealt with through a formal consultation process initiated in early 2024.

There will be several areas impacted by the construction of the ORT:

• Westhall Street: Trail access to be temporarily relocated during construction.
• Belmont Street: Trail access to be temporarily relocated during Belmont Street combined sewer replacement/relocation. Belmont Street will be closed during existing combined sewer relocation.
• Madison Avenue: Trail access to be temporarily relocated during temporary sewer installation at River Avenue and Madison.
• Voeghtly Street: Trail access to be temporarily relocated during installation of flap gate at rivers edge south of Voeghtly.

Additional details will be made available when the project gets closer to construction.

ALCOSAN will develop detour plans for any trail closures that will need to be approved by the municipalities and is working with Riverlife and Bike Pittsburgh to reduce the impact to the trails as much as possible.

We adjust the tunnel’s alignment in the final design process’s early stages. When we are finalizing plans for system improvements, we often adjust the tunnel’s path based on site conditions.

The proposed locations are driven by the existing sewer outfalls, whose flows are directed to the tunnel system. Like the tunnel alignment, the preliminary location of the shafts and regulators was established as part of Preliminary Planning in 2017-2020 and is solidified during the early stages of final design.

Impacts on local roads are determined during the final design process. Traffic control plans are also developed as part of the design.