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Community Corner

4th Bore of Caldecott Tunnel Traveling Photo Exhibit

From November 14, 2012  -  January 5, 2013 the Museum of the San Ramon Valley will display a collection of dramatic photographs of the Caldecott Fourth Bore Project.  The photographs, taken by Karl Nielson of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and John Huseby of Caltrans, will be displayed in the Museum waiting room.  After the visit to Danville, the exhibit will continue on to other public venues in Contra Costa and Alameda counties through the summer of 2013.


The photographs present rare views of tunnel excavation, which started in August, 2010, and also include portraits of some of the project’s many unsung heroes.  “Because Caltrans cannot provide tunnel tours for the public, we’ve done the next best thing,” said Fourth Bore Public Information Officer Ivy Morrison. “We’re bringing the Fourth Bore to communities throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties in the form of a travelling photo exhibit.”


One photograph depicts the “brass board” – a vestige of traditional mining projects – where miners “brass in” each time they enter the tunnel.  This practice would help rescue crews know if there are miners working in the tunnel.

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Another photograph depicts the “breakthrough,” which occurred when the top portion of the east and west sides of the tunnel met late last year. Giant tunneling equipment broke through the last remaining wall and there was literally “light at the end of the tunnel.” 


The exhibit follows up the popular Tunneling through Time presentation about the 4th Bore which was presented at the Village Theater last fall.  It is co-sponsored by the San Ramon Valley Historical Society.  The Museum is located in the former Danville Train Depot at 205 Railroad Avenue in downtown Danville.  Hours are 1-4 Tuesday through Friday; 10-1 Saturdays; and Noon-3 pm on Sundays.   A modest admission fee of $3 per person is charged.   Please call  925 837-3750 or go to www.museumsrv.org for additional information.

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The photos will be on display at the following locations, through the summer of 2013:


-Alameda Museum from Oct-Dec, 2012


-Rockridge Library in January/February, 2013


-Lafayette Library, March 1 to April 1, 2013


-Clayton Historical House, March 1 to April 30, 2013


-Orinda Library, July, 2013


 


When it opens to traffic in late 2013, the Fourth Bore will relieve traffic congestion in the off-peak direction along this heavily travelled section of State Route 24 by permanently dedicating two bores to westbound traffic and two to eastbound traffic.  The $402.1 million Caldecott Fourth Bore Project is one of the largest recipients of Recovery Act funding in the nation – a true testament to the regional importance of this project.  The Fourth Bore is also made possible through significant funding provided by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. In 2004, Contra Costans voted decisively to reauthorize a half-cent sales tax measure that would support the construction of the Caldecott Fourth Bore and other critical transportation infrastructure in Contra Costa County.


The Caldecott Fourth Bore Project represents a partnership between the Federal Highway Administration, the California Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, and the Alameda County Transportation Commission to build a two-lane fourth bore north of the existing three Caldecott tunnels. 


Please visit the Caldecott Fourth Bore Project website for additional information about the project: www.caldecott-tunnel.org

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