Akron, Ohio, Nov. 13, 2025  — Yesterday, the City of Akron celebrated the arrival of Elaine, the tunnel boring machine, as she completed her over 6,600 foot journey more than 100 feet under the City’s North Hill neighborhood. Beginning tunneling on April 23, 2025, Elaine created the second largest storage tunnel in the City to hold and convey combined sewage during heavy rain events until it can be treated at the Water Reclamation Facility. The tunnel has a 16.5 foot inside diameter and can store 10.3 million gallons. The tunnel is expected to go into operation in December of 2026.  

The Northside Interceptor Tunnel constitutes the next to last project required by the City’s federal consent decree with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. EPA. The final project remains subject to court proceedings in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, where the parties are currently referred to mediation. 

“The city’s first tunnel, the OCIT, has had significant positive impacts to both our waterways and our residents,” said Mayor Malik. “During heavy rain events, we are able to keep 467 million gallons of combined sewer overflow out of our waterways. With the addition of the NSIT, we will be able to capture and treat 99.7% of combined sewer overflow events in a typical year. This is an outstanding achievement and one we are incredibly proud of. As we approach the end of our massive sewer system overhaul, I want to thank all of our employees, the Ohio EPA, the US EPA, and all the stakeholders from our community who have made this incredible transformation a reality here in Akron, especially our tunnel’s namesake Elaine Marsh.”  

Originally planned to be a 20-foot tunnel spanning 10,000 feet long to hold 23 million gallons, the City sought the support of Ohio EPA and the United States EPA to “right-size” the tunnel in order to provide similar environmental impacts at a fraction of the cost to ratepayers. In April 2023, the Court issued an order amending the City’s Consent Decree to save ratepayers $40 million in costs. 

The Northside Interceptor Tunnel’s boring machine was named “Elaine” in honor of the tireless advocacy of Elaine Marsh, who worked with communities, regulators, and local governments to do the complex, collaborative work of dam removal and waterway renewal all along the Cuyahoga River.

Crews will now work to complete the tunnel shafts and finalize connections to the tunnel before it goes into operation. The City expects the Northside Interceptor Tunnel to be in-service and fully operational by the end of December 2026. To learn more about the city’s work on the consent decree, visit www.akronwaterwaysrenewed.com.