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FIELD TRIP PHOTOS
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CALDECOTT TUNNEL FIELD TRIP
June 2, 2001
This old stone building houses the fans and machinery for Bores 1 & 2.
Chris Risden, Caltrans geologist, summarizes the geology of the Berkeley Hills for the group.
The group squeezed into the ventilation fan room before entering the southern bore ventilation shaft.
Above and below: The group listens as Ray Mailhot, Superintendent of Tunnels and Tubes, describes how the Posey and Webster Street tubes were constructed. The tubes, shown on the large posters in the background, connect Oakland to Alameda.
As cars enter the tunnel they pass beneath a series of screens that allow partial sunlight to filter through. The reduced light helps drivers’ eyes become used to the light levels of the tunnel. During midday, when it is brightest outside, the tunnel lighting is at its brightest level. At night, the tunnel is dimly lit so that drivers can adjust more easily.
The tour group enters the Welders’ Shop. The hillside to the left was burned in the East Bay Hills fire. The Welder’s Shop was destroyed and an old anvil that had been in place since the beginning of tunnel construction in the
early 1900s, was melted and ruined. All the equipment in the shop had to be replaced.
Keil Albert, Section Awards Chair, gets drawn into the intake, as one of the giant fans is turned on.
These fans circulate air through Bore 3. Bore 3 is the newest tunnel.
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