An Interview with @StuckBertha
@StuckBertha, in all her glory
Remember that tunnel boring machine (TBM) that Seattle set up in 2013 to build an underground road? The one that got stuck about 1,000 feet into its job and has barely moved two and half years later? Well that TBM was nicknamed "Bertha," and she has an unofficial twitter account under the name of @StuckBertha.
We had the privilege of interviewing @StuckBertha earlier this month. Here's our conversation:
@stuckbertha Hi we're doing a week focused on unnecessary transpo $ on our website, esp in Washington. We'd love to interview you. You game?
— Strong Towns (@StrongTowns) January 8, 2016.@StrongTowns Yes?
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 10, 2016@stuckbertha @stuckbertha Ok let's do it. First question: How long have you been stuck and what's it like down there in the hole?
— Strong Towns (@StrongTowns) January 13, 2016@StrongTowns WET. REALLY WET. There is more of my surface area covered by water than soil. (BTW, tunneling in wet soil is a terrible idea!)
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 13, 2016@stuckbertha Do you get many visitors down there or is it fairly lonely?
— Strong Towns (@StrongTowns) January 18, 2016.@StrongTowns I used to! Electeds all day long. @MayorEdMurray almost moved down here during Mayor's race he loved me so much. Now? No one.
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 18, 2016@stuckbertha Sorry to hear that. What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
— Strong Towns (@StrongTowns) January 19, 2016.@StrongTowns I just want what every old gal stuck in a TBM wants. To finish this project and sit on a beach for a decade stirring sand.
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 20, 2016@stuckbertha Sounds idyllic. Do you have any friends out there in similar situations, or are you the only one living the stuck life?
— Strong Towns (@StrongTowns) January 20, 2016.@StrongTowns There is ANOTHER TBM in Seattle, who is everyone's favorite, and under budget. (also, her maker doesn't let her tweet) So, no
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 20, 2016@stuckbertha What does an average day look like for you? Are you a morning person or a night person?
— Strong Towns (@StrongTowns) January 20, 2016.@StrongTowns I wake when the first shift arrives, make some tea, check on tunneling news, and then, well, be stuck and cost $250k a day.
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 20, 2016@stuckbertha @StrongTowns I could do that for @wsdot for $1000/day
— Glen Buhlmann (@GlenBikes) January 20, 2016@GlenBikes @StrongTowns @wsdot Join me Glen, I'd love the company!
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 20, 2016@stuckbertha :( What keeps u going Bertha? Do you think you'll ever get out of there or are you doomed to live out an eternity underground?
— Strong Towns (@StrongTowns) January 21, 2016.@StrongTowns Oh my, that is a downer question! I hope to someday finish, stop all the criticism of me, and spend a weekend on Whidbey.
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 21, 2016.@StrongTowns I keep going because I love this city. I am tired of all the attacks for and against this project.
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 21, 2016.@StrongTowns In many ways both my supporters and opponents were misguided.
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 21, 2016.@StrongTowns Ultimately,I hope to serve rail someday as well, to truly help Seattle. I also want to feel the air and sun.
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 21, 2016.@StrongTowns I dont want to be down here forever.
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 21, 2016@stuckbertha @StrongTowns #wish You retire to Gasworks Park as climbable art.
— Left OfCenter (@leftofcentervil) January 21, 2016.@leftofcentervil .@StrongTowns I love this idea, kids, kites and sunsets!! Dig me out now and barge me over!
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 21, 2016@stuckbertha We hope you get out someday too! Okay let's turn to something positive: Who is your role model? Who's your TBM inspiration?
— Strong Towns (@StrongTowns) January 21, 2016.@StrongTowns I'd love to say John Henry, but the end scares me! I'll say Rosa Parks, she showed you can change the world by staying put.
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 22, 2016.@StrongTowns As for a TBM role model, NOT Sound Transit's Brenda! I get it! She's digging! I choose the TBM doing the 57k Gotthard tunnel.
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 22, 2016@stuckbertha Makes sense. Well Bertha, it's been great talking to u. Any final words you'd like to share about big transpo projects? Advice?
— Strong Towns (@StrongTowns) January 22, 2016.@StrongTowns Have an honest, open discussion of the risks. Even in much better conditions this region's tunneling projects went over budget
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 22, 2016.@StrongTowns Thank you for a lovely chat!
— Stuck Bertha (@stuckbertha) January 22, 2016@stuckbertha Thank you for taking the time to speak with us! We're all hoping you make it out of that hole soon.
— Strong Towns (@StrongTowns) January 22, 2016@StuckBertha, we're honored that you took the time to tweet to us, from out of your underground pit. Thanks to everyone who jumped in on this conversation too.
(Top photo by Atomic Taco)