Vegas Tunnel Constructors

In March 2008 the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) awarded a $447 million design-build contract to Vegas Tunnel Constructors (VTC) -- a joint venture of S.A. Healy Co. and Impregilo S.p.A. The Lake Mead Intake No. 3 Program, of which this project is a part, is intended to protect the existing water system capacity of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) against potential inoperability of the existing Intake No. 1 and/or No. 2, as well as allow SNWA to draw better quality water from the deeper elevation and location in the lake. The lake has dropped 110 feet since 2000, leaving it at half capacity. The new intake is designed to accommodate a flow of 1,200 MGD.

The project is located in the Lake Mead National Recreational Area, managed by the National Park Service. Completion is planned in 2013.