Wastewater system improvements ahead of schedule

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indianapolis leaders on Tuesday showed off some of the gear that's doing the big dig underneath the city, part of a major improvement to the city’s wastewater treatment system.

The deep rock tunnel connector is an 18-foot-wide tunnel going in more than 250 feet below the surface. Tuesday, the giant 'borer" that will do the digging was on display.

When it's done, the tunnel will be part of a major improvement to the city's wastewater and sewer system. When the work is done, the system will be able to handle far more water during heavy rains, and that should mean far fewer sewage overflows into area rivers and streams.  

“What this is all about is cleaning up your waterways,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. “… When all of this is done, we're going to have 95 percent or more - and I think 95 percent is a conservative figure - clean water in the city of Indianapolis. It's an amazing story compared to what goes on right now.”

Work on the deep rock connector is a year ahead, officials said. Completion was initially set for 2016.