 | | | Photo provided
| | | | | | "It's not every day a tunnel is built in your area," said Fourth Bore Public Information Officer Ivy Morrison. Morrison nearly lost her voice during a recent afternoon phone interview, but that was understandable. Since coming on the job in March 2011, Morrison has given or arranged for more than 80 educational talks about the Caldecott Tunnel's latest project.
"Since we can't bring the people to the tunnel, we're bringing the tunnel to the people," she said.
Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, church groups, professional associations, libraries - you name it, and Morrison has brought them a PowerPoint presentation and collection of rocks, fossils, and material samples used in the fourth bore construction.
Chuck Lay heard Morrison speak at a St. Monica Church men's group in Moraga. Lay is retired, but still drives the tunnel at least three times a week. He found the site history and geology interesting and thought the boring machine was high-tech enough that "it would work well in a Star Wars movie."
Now thanks to Orinda Parks and Recreation, a small group of Lamorindans can visit the tunnel construction site Nov. 28. Morrison emphasized this is only a construction site visit; due to Cal/OSHA restrictions participants will not be allowed into the tunnel.
"Most people seem to be thrilled just to be able to see the Fourth Bore Project from this vantage point, but sometimes people are disappointed, because they think they are going into the tunnel," she said. Participants must be at least 18 and should wear long pants, shirts with sleeves, and protective footwear. Hard hats, vests, and safety goggles will be provided. To register for the site visit, call (925) 254-2445 or go online to http://tinyurl.com/a44pgxz, barcode 13737.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA