By Scout Nelson
Construction is set to begin for the much-anticipated replacement of Tunnel No. 2 on the Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie canal. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 28, at the Goshen Irrigation District office in Torrington, Wyoming. The event will be followed by an overview of the planned work at the tunnel site.
The project comes six years after the canal tunnel collapse and breach that disrupted water delivery to more than 107,000 acres across Nebraska and Wyoming for 44 days. The upcoming replacement marks a major step toward improving water infrastructure and ensuring long-term irrigation reliability.
Preliminary work this fall will focus on developing the inlet and outlet structures at Tunnel No. 2 before removing and replacing the tunnel. Additional early-stage efforts include building access roads, setting up construction of power lines, and preparing materials. Full excavation and replacement will begin in the fall of 2026.
The specialized sequential boring machine and shield are being purpose-built for this project. Excavation will start from the outlet end, with reinforced concrete tunnel sections installed in five-foot increments as progress continues.
The gap between the tunnel and the surrounding surface will be filled with grouts for stability. Replacement of Tunnel No. 1 is scheduled to begin in fall 2027, with the entire project expected to finish by spring 2028.
Funding remains a key challenge, with the total project cost estimated at $150 million. To date, $64.5 million in grants have been secured from Nebraska and Wyoming, alongside a potential $58.5 million low-interest loan from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
This large-scale effort reflects ongoing collaboration to secure the region’s water future and support agricultural productivity through dependable irrigation infrastructure.
Photo Credit:istock-laughingmango
Categories: Nebraska, General, Government & Policy