# Granite JV Wins $324.8M NEORSD Tunnel Project

- **Published:** 2026-11-02
- **Edition:** National
- **Source:** Construction Equipment Guide
- **Authors:** Construction Equipment Guide
- **URL:** https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/granite-jv-wins-3248m-neorsd-tunnel-project/72676
- **Tags:** Ohio, tunnel

## Summary
Granite Construction and Super Excavators have been awarded a $324.8 million contract to build the Big Creek Tunnel, a major wastewater infrastructure project in Cleveland, Ohio.

## Article

A joint venture of Granite Construction and Super Excavators has been awarded a $324.8 million contract to build the Big Creek Tunnel, a major wastewater infrastructure project in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) awarded the contract for the project, which is part of Project Clean Lake, a $3 billion, 24-year initiative launched in 2011 to improve water quality and reduce combined sewer overflows into Lake Erie and other regional waterways.

The Big Creek Tunnel will be the final large-diameter storage tunnel constructed under the program. The project also includes 3,115 linear ft. of smaller connecting, overflow and dewatering tunnels, along with access passages.

The tunnel will extend more than 4 mi. through rock, approximately 50 to 100 ft. beneath Cleveland, Linndale and Brooklyn, Ohio. The system will capture and store a combination of sanitary sewage and stormwater from 11 combined sewer overflow outfalls, reducing discharges into Big Creek and its tributaries by approximately 550 million gallons annually.

## Tunneling, Shaft Construction

In addition to the main tunnel, the project includes multiple shafts, diversion structures, gate and screening structures, gate control vaults, consolidation sewers and an overflow box culvert. Associated work includes site preparation, utilities and restoration.

Much of the construction will take place underground using trenchless methods, with a tunnel boring machine expected to excavate the main alignment. Seven shaft locations will provide access for construction and support the tunnel system, according to NEORSD.

“The scale and complexity of this project align directly with Granite's strengths in large-diameter tunneling and shaft construction,” said Jim Nickerson, vice president of Granite's Tunnel Division.

The project is expected to strengthen the regional wastewater system while protecting waterways across Northeast Ohio.

## Final Phase of Project Clean Lake

Project Clean Lake combines large-scale storage tunnels with other wastewater collection and treatment improvements to reduce combined sewer overflows. When the program is complete, NEORSD expects the projects to prevent approximately 4.5 billion gal. of combined sewer overflow from entering Lake Erie and other local waterways annually.

The Big Creek Tunnel is a major remaining component of that effort. In addition to improving water quality, the project is expected to reduce flooding associated with the affected sewer system.

Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2026, with completion anticipated in winter 2030, according to Granite. NEORSD's project information indicates that construction could continue into 2031.

The joint venture's contract was announced Oct. 1, 2026, and will be included in Granite's third-quarter construction awards.

For more information, visit [graniteconstruction.com](https://graniteconstruction.com).

## Photos

![The Big Creek Tunnel will be the final large-diameter storage tunnel constructed under the program.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72676-M-OH-GRAN-TUNNEL-2-bd041734d956b915f356ee5e45dd63fb.jpg)
*Photo credit: Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District photo*

![Granite JV Wins $324.8M NEORSD Tunnel Project photo 2](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72676-M-OH-GRAN-TUNNEL-1-83bb7519f2dc21269aac40ea8a3c6320.jpg)
*Photo credit: City of Cleveland image*