In the summer of 2022, Treatment Plant Operator first reported on a new 380-ton, 14-foot 8-inch tall tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Hazel that had been unveiled by AlexRenew — Alexandria, Virginia’s wastewater authority — marking a significant milestone in its RiverRenew program to improve local waterways.
Hazel completed her 2.2-mile waterfront tunnel dig in March, marking the most critical milestone yet in the largest infrastructure project in Alexandria's history. And in April, AlexRenew commemorated "Hazel Day" with an Open House at the RiverRenew Pendleton Street site. Over 1,000 community members of all ages joined the RiverRenew crews and were able to see Hazel the tunnel boring machine in person and interact with some of the equipment that was used to construct the Waterfront Tunnel, including her cutting tools and the multi-service vehicle that transported crews and segments to Hazel during construction.
RiverRenew engineers and craft personnel were on-site to answer questions and speak to the various exhibits, including the 1:14 scale model of Hazel and her trailing gear, the scale model of the diversion facility, and the Pendleton Street drop shaft overlook.
Other activities available to Alexandrians of all ages included hard hat decorating and temporary tattoos of characters from the Cloe and Friends Storybook series.
