Project Profile of Devil’s Slide Tunnels

Devil's Slide Geologic Cross-Section

Devil's Slide Geologic Cross-Section

This is a great piece that covers a lot of ground about the project. The author included information on the background of the original highway, and a nice discussion of the political aspects that drove the selection of a tunnel option over the inland bypass option that Caltrans initially favored. But of course, being a geoengineer, the best part was a discussion of the geology and the tunneling activities.

The author interviewed Doug Hamilton, a local consulting geologist who worked on several phases of the project. The description of Mr. Hamilton tying a rope to the bumper of his pickup truck to repel down the side of the cliff at Devil’s slide with his rock hammer is classic (his permit said he needed three other climbers with him). There are also interviews from tunnel contractor Kiewit and the head miner from Laborer International Union of North America. The Devil’s Slide Tunnel project has been a pet project of mine for years, and if you have been interested in it like I have, don’t miss this article. Great photos too! [Source: Read the full article at CE News. Image: Michal Cialowicz/michalography.com via CE News]