DigIndy Project Hits Halfway Mark
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett (podium) joined officials from Citizens to mark the milestone. (photo courtesy Joe Hogsett's office)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowCitizens Energy Group in Indianapolis says it has completed mining for more than half of the 28-mile DigIndy Tunnel System. The utility says the $2 billion project, which aims to prevent 99 percent of sewer overflows into area waterways, is now ahead of schedule and $400 million below the original budget.
Citizens says the project is still expected to be complete in 2025. The first 10 miles of the project were opened at the end of 2017 and since that time, DigIndy has prevented more than 500 million gallons of sewage from overflowing into the White River and Eagle Creek in Marion County, according to the company.
"Citizens employees are working hard every day to find innovative ways to keep the DigIndy Project ahead of schedule and below budget, while maximizing benefits for our environment," said Jeffrey Harrison, chief executive officer of Citizens Energy Group. "DigIndy is now functioning just as it was designed. Keeping 500 million gallons of sewage out of area waterways over the past nine months is a tremendous accomplishment resulting from years of careful planning."
Citizens says the system will have the ability to capture and store more than 250 gallons of sewage during and after wet weather, which will then be transferred to a water treatment plant when capacity is available. The utility says the effort will result in $70 million in additional savings.
The utility is also working with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works and IndyGo to coordinate project schedules in order to minimize inconvenience for residents and drivers. You can learn more about the DigIndy project by clicking here.