Water infiltration is a common problem in tunnels and contributes to the deterioration of the structure and elements within and creates hazards such as icicles and slippery roadways.  A variety of methods exist today to address water infiltration but understanding the appropriate mitigation to use in specific circumstances and what limitations accompany that mitigation is the key to success.  The objective of this synthesis is to document practices used by state department of transportation (DOT) tunnel owners to control leaks.

Information for this study was gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs.  Case examples of four state DOTs provide additional information on practices for controlling tunnel leaks.  

Martha Averso, Tom Leckrone, and Katie Clever, Gannett Fleming, Inc., collected and synthesized the information and wrote the report. The members of the topic panel are acknowledged on page iv.  This synthesis is an immediately useful document that records practices that were acceptable within the limitations of the knowledge available at the time of its preparation.  The report can be found here.