The tunnel boring machine called Bertha is currently about a half mile from the end of its journey. Contractors expect to be pulling it out of the ground by June. But the tunnel through downtown Seattle is only part of the project.

The neighborhood around the tunnel’s northern entrance is also getting a makeover.

Aurora Avenue North is like a wall that separates two neighborhoods that otherwise might feel very close: South Lake Union and the Seattle Center. A concrete barrier runs down the middle of Aurora Avenue.

“The intention is that people cannot cross the wall,” said Deborah Daoust, director of communications for Seattle Center.

Daoust brought me to the intersection of Harrison and Aurora. When the tunnel opens in 2019, this part of Aurora will change dramatically.