Minneapolis city and state officials cut a red ribbon at a gathering Thursday to celebrate the completion of a new $57 million stormwater tunnel. The tunnel runs about 70 feet below the street surface on Washington Avenue South and was built parallel to an existing tunnel.
The Central City Tunnel System is a system of stormwater tunnels that collect rainwater for most of the downtown area. Some of these tunnels date back to the 19th century. The rainwater collected through the tunnels is then channeled into the Mississippi River.
City and state officials hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of a new tunnel at Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis.
Chandra Colvin | MPR News
The new tunnel will help increase the drainage capacity of the overall system. The goal is to improve the efficiency and speed of water filtration to the river. This will help reduce flooding and prevent tunnel collapses.
“Just a few years ago, Minneapolis was the second most affected city by climate change,” said Mayor Jacob Frey.
Thanks to donations from private individuals, MPR News remains accessible to everyone – without paywalls and barriers.
Frey said the state is seeing “tremendous” changes in the way the end-of-winter thaw occurs.
City Council member Michael Rainville agrees that the world’s climate is changing.
“Imagine the cities on the southeast coast getting 25 inches of water in two days? How the hell are you going to deal with all that? If something like that happens here, we’re well prepared,” Rainville says.
The tunnel’s capacity is three times that of existing tunnels and can hold up to 4 million gallons of water, said Angie Craft, Minneapolis Public Works’ director of surface water and wastewater.
“We are investing in the future of our community that will last for generations to come: keeping water flowing into the river so people can continue to move through the city,” Craft said.
A project banner near the entrance of the new tunnel in Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis.
Chandra Colvin | MPR News
