The Chattanooga City Council will consider today whether to approve a proposed $101,966 amendment related to water sealant treatments for the Wilcox Tunnel renovation project.
The change order request, which represents a 7.6 percent increase over the city's current $1.33 million agreement with contractor Hartman Walsh Industrial, calls for switching from an epoxy sealant to a foam injection sealant. If approved, the amended agreement will amount to a $1.43 million investment in the tunnel's overhaul.
Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 3/21/16. Construction continues on the Wilcox Tunnel on Monday, March 21, 2016. The injection foam is a better way of addressing Wilcox Tunnel water seepage, which is one of the Chattanooga Department of Transportation's top priorities for the project, said Marissa Bell, communications coordinator for the city's economic and community development department.
"During the process of drying out the tunnel, it took more work than expected to seal all of the holes," Bell said in an email. "A new technology became available during this process, which was effective in sealing out the water."
The change in sealing processes will not affect the scheduled April 11 opening date for the tunnel, Bell said.
Downtime for the Wilcox Tunnel project - which includes repairing construction joints, installing a new lighting system, resurfacing the roadway and improving water drainage and pedestrian railing - has been a concern for local businesses since the 84-year-old tunnel was closed on Aug. 17.
Area businessman and former Chattanooga City Council member John Taylor has expressed frustration over the project's time to completion, which was originally calculated to occur in February.
"They're not thinking of businesses or residents in this area," Taylor said in December. "They're not thinking about the pedestrians trying to get through. This simply shows the city is unconcerned for our community."
In February, the City Council approved the Construction Mitigation Program, which is set to allocate up to $25,000 to Wilcox area businesses. Those businesses are eligible for up to $1,000 in aid and have up until 90 days after the project's completion to apply for funding.
The project represents the greatest steps taken on behalf of the tunnel in the last 50 years, city Chief Operating Officer Brent Goldberg said in February 2015.
The Wilcox Tunnel, built in 1932 and owned by the city, is the oldest tunnel in the area. Other tunnels in the city, including the McCallie Tunnels, Stringer's Ridge Tunnel and the Bachman Tubes, are owned and maintained by the state.
"When we are finished, we will have a safe, clean and attractive tunnel - not perfect, but much better than it has been in decades," Goldberg said.
Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com.