WSDOT is sponsoring a contest for students to name the machine. The winning name will be painted on the TBM and the contest winner will be invited to attend the dedication event next year in Seattle.
In early-2013, the Hitachi Zosen TBM is expected to start digging the SR 99 tunnel beneath downtown Seattle. The contract for the TBM is worth USD 1.4bn. The tunnel is scheduled to open to drivers in late 2015.
