On 13th May, 2008, the Omaha city council approved a USD510,000 contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff to carry out geotechnical and geophysical exploration and testing of soil and rock samples for the planned deep tunnel to be constructed under Omaha for storage and conveyance of combined storm water and sanitary sewage. The tunnel will be about 53.4 m deep and will take in overflow waste water and funnel it to a new treatment facility south of downtown. PB will use boring machines to dig six test holes along the 9.6 km-long, north-to-south route between the Gallup campus and the Veterans Memorial bridge. The machines will dig each hole to a depth of 90 metres and then bring up soil and rock samples to see what the nature of the limestone is deep underground. Drilling is expected to begin in early June and should be finished in a couple of months. The tunnel is expected to cost between USD300 million and USD400 million, making it the single most expensive component of the sewer overhaul. Visit www.pbworld.com and www.ci.omaha.ne.us/departments/city_council/agendas/ID%2008_05_13/Public%20Works/668.pdf 24/08.