Underground Construction: Tunnels / Trenchless Installations / Differing Site Conditions
Pacifica maintains one of the Northwest’s most robust practices in representing clients in tunnel and trenchless tunneling projects. Our attorneys have been involved in this sector since 1997. Our practice has involved a wide variety of installation methods, including micro-tunneling, earth pressure balance, horizontal directional drilling, pipe ramming, auger boring, and open shield pipe jacking. We assist clients in the up-front contract and bidding phase, and in the change order and dispute phase if necessary.
Representative projects include Seattle’s waterfront tunnel project completed in 2018, a 3,100 linear foot combined sewer outflow (CSO) conveyance line located in the City of Seattle, a micro-tunneling dispute in Covington, Washington, an auger boring dispute in Kenmore, Washington, and a horizontal directional drilling dispute on a project under the Snake River in volcanic ballast deposits.
We emphasize risk allocation and mitigation through effective preparation and coordination of project documents. This involves reviewing geotechnical reports to assure clarity, assisting engineers with developing geotechnical baselines, preparing bidder qualifications, drafting cost and remedy contract clause specific to trenchless risks, and coordinating contract documents and bid packages.
