The massive project to build an underground storage tunnel along the Ship Canal to reduce polluted water runoff is about to start construction in Ballard. The Ship Canal Water Quality Project, headed up by Seattle Public Utilities, will start its ‘Ballard Early Work’ phase in late September/early October. SPU will hold an informational meeting about the upcoming construction on Tuesday, September 11 from 4 to 6pm at the SPU Ballard Operations Building Parking Lot, 5300 24th Ave NW.

The tunnel will span along the Ship Canal from Ballard to Wallingford, a 2.7-mile stretch into which nearly 80 million gallons of polluted water each year spills from surrounding neighborhoods. According to SPU, the 18′ diameter tunnel will capture and temporarily hold polluted stormwater and sewage that overflows during heavy rains. Flows will then be sent to King County’s wastewater treatment plant to be treated and discharged.

The construction in Ballard will take place on and around the former Yankee Diner restaurant at 24th Ave NW and Shilshole Ave NW, and is expecting to last through mid-2019. The drop-in meeting will have information about their wastewater collection goals, the potential impacts and timing of construction, and will allow the public to meet the project team.

Any questions about the meeting or the project can be directed to Richard Fernandez, the project manager, at richard.fernandez@seattle.gov.