Water tunnel in San Bernardino nears completion

Workers haul equipment through the tunnel, which cuts through mountains to connect Waterman and Devil canyons.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

James Bowen scrambles around the giant cutting head on the 820-ton tunnel boring machine. The machine creates a tunnel 19 feet in diameter and at top speed bores through about 2 inches of granite per minute.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Workers focus on the Arrowhead West Tunnel’s concrete walls. In its two decades, the Inland Feeder Project has dealt with fire, flood, regulatory disputes, difficult geology, grouting problems, earthquake considerations and budget issues.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

John Bednarski of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California stands next to the tunneling machine. Bednarski became project manager three years ago, when production was at a standstill.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A worker exits the Arrowhead West Tunnel. When finished, the pipeline will be able to move enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in less than 30 seconds.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Metropolitan Water District is making progress on the Arrowhead West Tunnel. The entire Inland Feeder pipeline, after years of setbacks, is now scheduled to open in 2010.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Mechanic John Canova walks outside the tunnel. The water it brings to Diamond Valley Lake will serve Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)