Brushy Mtn Tunnel East entrance nears completion

I guess we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Major changes this week as the work at the tunnel East entrance nears completion. The real credit goes to “Taco” Tony Martinez and his excavator. He removed ALL the sediment at the “mud fall” and deepened this area to form a settling basin for the rain run-off and spring water from the north wall. We deepened the trench for the 6″ drain line provided by Paulding County and buried about 160 ft of 6″ drain line. Tony also “collected” several large rocks to form a sitting area, similar to the west entrance. He also cleared a major amount of soil on the south wall so we could place the silt fence. By the end of the day, we had made major progress. Tony and his excavator had done the heavy lifting, both literally and figuratively. AP, Skip and I toiled moving modest amounts of soil in comparison. We filled in and contoured the drainage along the north wall, near the tunnel entrance. It must have been a dozen wheelbarrow loads of soil that we moved. Mostly from the south wall, which also needed to be cleared for the silt fence. We needed the silt fence on the south side to control the remaining major source of mud feeding into the east grate.

Please, take the time to thank Tony, Skip and Al when you have the opportunity. Skip worked late into the evening helping me finish the silt fence. It’s the best looking silt fence I’ve ever seen. Thanks for all the help Skip.

Now for the pictures and video that tell the story better than I. (click images to enlarge)

New settling pond to collect rain runoff and spring water, allowing the sediment to collect and not foul the drain line.