Albany Park Storm Water Diversion Tunnel Completed

On July 24, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel cut a ceremonial ribbon signaling the completion of the Albany Park Storm Water Diversion Tunnel in a north Chicago neighborhood. The $70 million storm water tunnel has already been activated four times this year and effectively diverted water from the north branch of the Chicago River into the North Shore Channel that runs into Lake Michigan.

The 1-mile long tunnel is 150-ft deep and 18-ft wide. Located beneath Foster Ave., it stretches east from Eugene Field Park to the North Shore Channel. For residents of the community, the tunnel is providing much needed flood relief as the neighborhood suffered devastating flooding in 2008 and 2013. The two-year project was a collaboration between the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

“In essence, the tunnel serves as a second river making sure the above-ground channel doesn’t overflow and flood neighborhoods like Albany Park,” First Deputy Transportation Commissioner Tom Carney said.

SWS editors were fortunate enough to visit the Albany Park Storm Water Diversion Tunnel just before its completion. Check out our video coverage of the site visit here, featuring interviews with the engineers behind it and a look inside the tunnel.