Earlier articles had WSDOT talking to the operators and telling them they thought it was operating at too high of temperatures awhile ago - weeks before it hit the pipe and then a few days later was stopped.
But WSDOT was saying how they can only make comments, as the STP owners are the folks that make the final decisions (and therefore remain liable).
The “bad sensor” thing might be correct, but it reminds me of the failed gas line and explosion we had north of Seattle due to a “bad sensor software”. Had to do with the Y2K changes in software. After so many false alarms going off about a closed valve on a major gasoline pipeline, the operators ignored it. It WAS close, the thing ruptured and blew up, kill two people in a county park.
Sorry for the aside, but I hope if they think it is the sensors they replace them or troubleshoot them. And not try the old “Oh - ignore that, it is just a bad sensor” thing!
I can’t imagine - being stopped for almost a month now (since Dec. 6) and only going 800 feet or so. I wonder what surprises are in store for them the remaining x thousands of feet.
Oops - time flies. Almost TWO months.
I have done tunnels under most major cities, Paris. London, Sidney, Chicago, New York Boston and Seattle. I worked with the Japenses(Komatsu) building machines a couple TBMs. I looked at the head, and it looks OK, so I am thinking a design - quality problem with the main bearing and drive system.
I wonder if they designed it to drill bore holes ahead to determine if anything nasty is coming up?