The 1967 Tyne Tunnel has this week begun fire prevention work as part of the GBP 260m New Tyne Crossing Project.
The work will be undertaken between 9pm and 5am every weeknight until the end of the year, enabling regular traffic flow to continue during the day. At night there may be minor delays due to single lane closures and traffic management systems.
The fire safety designs include new panelling and a fixed fire suppression system.
In February 2011, once the new tunnel is open, the original tunnel will finally close for the construction of a separate emergency escape passage. According to the Tyne Tunnel Concessionaire, this will involve the realigning of traffic lanes and, along with the planned fire suppression systems, will make the Tyne Tunnels the safest road tunnels in the country.
This is particularly important as the original tunnel, designed to accommodate 24,000 vehicles passing through each day, currently deals with approximately 38,000.
