CHARLOTTE -- More than 40 sticks of dynamite blasted rock 32 feet underneath Morehead Street in Charlotte on Friday as a new way to fight flooding on the city streets.
"Right now we're blasting almost daily," said Tim Canup, a project manager for the City of Charlotte. His crew is carving out an underground tunnel to install a 90 inch sewer pipe.
"The tunnel itself is about 12 feet high, and each day we're trying to advance four to feet, right now the rock is really hard," said Canup.
The pipe will help to alleviate the flooding which takes over the intersection of Morehead Street and McDowell Street on rainy days.
Alyssa Dodd with Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services said they have been planning this project since 2000.
"We want that rainwater to get off our streets as quickly as possible for the safety of drivers that are using it,” said Canup
Canup said that as the area develops, there is more runoff.
"All the paving, all the building, the ground can't accept all the water because it’s all paved, now all that has runoffs,” said Canup.
Instead of closing the intersection, Charlotte Storm Water Services used a method they have never used before.
"By going with the tunnel approach, we're reducing the risk of impacting other underground utilities, it’s also a way to minimize the traffic issues associated with the project," said Canup.
Canup said they also try to minimize the impact on businesses.
"The access is through a shaft which is middle of Baxter Street and its about 28 feet across,” said Canup.
A wall of torn up rubber tires is used to muffle the explosions.
"The sound you hear is like at shotgun blast," said Canup.
The project started last October and will last about another 12 months. The total cost is about $17 million.