UCA WIT 2025 Field Trip | LOT & NSIT Tunnel Tour

Columbus & Akron, Ohio

April 23, 2025

Join the UCA Women In Tunneling Group for a 2 site visit to the Lower Olentangy Tunnel (LOT) Project in Columbus, OH and to the Northside Interceptor Tunnel (NSIT) Project in Akron, OH.

The LOT Tour in Columbus will discuss project production to date, the various construction techniques implemented to excavate and install various shafts, diversion structures and view the Herrenknecht EPB TBM the Might Quinn during the north tunnel drive as well as a drill and blast heading.

The NSIT Tour in Akron will explore project background, walk through of the portal and starter tunnel excavations, discussion of TBM assembly and launch plan as well of tour of recently launched Herrenknecht hard rock TBM Elaine while mining. 

Schedule (tentative)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Arrive to hotel, informal dinner for those available and interested in a meet and greet

Thursday, April 24, 2025

7:45 am - Bus picks up from hotel to 901 Twin Rivers for safety orientation and job overview
9:00 am - Bus to Gowdy Field – split into 2 groups, 1 to TBM, other to Vine St to see drill and blast heading
10:30 am - Groups switch
12:00 pm - Bus to Akron – box lunch on the bus
2:30 pm - Tour NSIT – may split into 2 groups depending on mining schedule, 1 to TBM, other to drop shafts, then switch
5:00 pm - Bus to Columbus
7:30 pm - Drop off at hotel
8:00 pm - Dinner at restaurant TBD

 
Friday, April 25, 2025

Travel Out
 

Where to Stay

It is recommended those chosen to attend the Field Trip stay at one of the below hotels or another within close proximity. We do not have a reserved block, so those accepted should make reservations immediately upon their application being accepted.

Marriott Columbus OSU - Luxury Hotel near Ohio State University 
Columbus Hotel Near Ohio State Campus | Hyatt Place Columbus / OSU

About the Lower Olentagy (LOT) Project:

The Lower Olentangy Tunnel (LOT) Project in Columbus, OH. At this active tunneling site, you'll be able to  witness construction related to 17,000 feet of 12-foot diameter tunnel at an average depth of 50 feet, which is a part of a consent order project to improve water quality for the region. Tour will discuss project production to date, the various construction techniques implemented to excavate and install various shafts, diversion structures and view the Herrenknecht EPB TBM the Might Quinn during the north tunnel drive as well as a drill and blast heading.

Lower Olentangy Tunnel 

 

About NSIT:

The City of Akron is constructing the Northside Interceptor Tunnel (NSIT) project to control and reduce combined sewer overflows. One component of the project is a large diameter tunnel diversion /flow control structure that will facilitate tunnel storage, divert dry weather flow to the treatment plant, and divert large wet weather events that are greater than the tunnel capacity to the river. The structure is designed to pass up to 1.2 billion gallons per day of flow. Tour will explore project background, walk through of the portal and starter tunnel excavations, discussion of TBM assembly and launch plan as well of tour of recently launched Herrenknecht hard rock TBM Elaine while mining. 

Northside Interceptor Tunnel
 

The trip is capped at 30 attendees.

What to Wear: pants, long sleeve or short sleeve shirt, steel-toed boots required for site entry

Hard hats and vests to be provide on project site.

Apply Now to Attend

As spaces will fill up quickly, and travel arrangements, need to be made, please submit application no later than Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The WIT committee will respond with confirmation of attendance as soon as possible after that date.

Applicants will need to provide their own transportation to Columbus and hotel costs to attend. Transportation to and from hotel to site will be provided on Thursday 4/24/25. Please let us know in your application if you need a letter from WIT to provide to your manager to encourage them to invest in your participation.

Fill out Application Form

Thank You Sponsors

Title Sponsors

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Supporting Sponsors

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Sponsor the Fieldtrip

By sponsoring the Women in Tunneling (WIT) tour, your company will position itself as a leader and champion for the growth and development of women in tunneling and underground construction industry. Your sponsorship underwrites a portion of each attendees’ cost to visit this outstanding project. Visit capped at 30 attendees.

Download Sponsorship Opportunities

 

Lower Olentangy Tunnel (LOT) Project

Northside Interceptor Tunnel



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