Lower Olentangy Tunnel (LOT) Project – Columbus, OH

The LOT main tunnel will require construction of approximately 17,000 feet of 12-foot diameter tunnel at an average depth of 50 feet. This portion will be mined with a tunnel boring machine and constructed of precast concrete segments. There are three main shafts (large manholes and other structures to provide access and tunnel controls) along LOT at Tuttle Park north of Lane Avenue, at Gowdy Field near Third Avenue and Olentangy River Road, and at Vine Street.  Sauls Seismic was chosen by the City of Columbus to be the Vibration Specialist for the project.  Sauls has deployed three seismographs at the Stephanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center to monitor vibrations from blasting and tunneling near sensitive medical equipment.  Sauls was also tasked with establishing vibration limits and specifications for the project. The Sauls Seismic NOW Access^SM system was utilized throughout the project to notify project and management of vibration alerts.  A combination text/email alert system was set up to send notifications for both alert and action levels of vibration.