Multi-million dollar safety upgrade for New Zealand tunnel

New Zealand transport Minister Simon Bridges has announced work is set to begin on a multi-million dollar fire deluge system that will improve safety and reduce the risk of lengthy closures at Lyttelton Tunnel south of Christchurch. The US$19.9 million (NZ$28.7 million) project is the largest project undertaken at the tunnel since it opened in 1964. The contract has been awarded to McConnell Dowell, with work set to start in the coming weeks. A fire sprinkler system is the most effective means of mana
May 18, 2017 Read time: 1 min
New Zealand transport Minister Simon Bridges has announced work is set to begin on a multi-million dollar fire deluge system that will improve safety and reduce the risk of lengthy closures at Lyttelton Tunnel south of Christchurch.


The US$19.9 million (NZ$28.7 million) project is the largest project undertaken at the tunnel since it opened in 1964. The contract has been awarded to McConnell Dowell, with work set to start in the coming weeks.

A fire sprinkler system is the most effective means of managing fire risk in the tunnel and is designed to control and contain a fire until fire services reach the scene. The project involves the construction of two reservoirs, two pump stations, and the installation of 9km of pipe work and 2,400 fire sprinkler nozzles throughout the tunnel.

The project is expected to be complete by December 2018.

Related Content

  • June 9, 2015
    Imtech awarded major Finnish motorway contract
    In a contract valued at over US$11 million, Imtech Traffic & Infra is to implement the traffic control system and lighting for the E18 motorway in Finland. The contract, awarded by Finnish infrastructure company YIT Rakennus, includes detailed design, software development, communication network equipment, power supply, lighting and traffic control equipment for tunnel and motorway, tunnel safety systems, CCTV system, cabling, installation works, system commissioning and maintenance. Construction will
    Read More
  • March 27, 2012
    EIB to fund new tram lines in Nottingham with $157 million loan
    The European Investment Bank, the European Union’s long-term lending institution, has agreed to provide US$157 over 19 years to enable Nottingham City Council to expand the city’s light rail system with two new tram lines to the south and south west. The new lines will have services every seven minutes between 7am and 7pm and include 28 stops along 17.5kms of track. The project also includes 22 new low-floor trams for the line to link park and ride sites next to the M1 at Clifton and Toton Lane with the cit
    Read More
  • July 17, 2015
    Average speed cameras go live on Scotland’s motorway upgrade
    Average speed cameras are due to go live across the US$780 million M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project in Scotland. It is hoped they will encourage a safe and steady traffic flow by monitoring the average speed of vehicles through the works to ensure the safety of both road users and road workers. The cameras are expected to go live on 20 July and will remain in place until the completion of the project in spring 2017.
    Read More
  • March 5, 2014
    Mexico issues rail tender
    Mexico's transport and communications ministry (SCT) has launched a tender for construction of the Mexico City-Toluca passenger rail line. The project will be divided into a series of separate tenders, with the first open to Mexican companies only. The tender launched on 28 February is a public works contract for construction of the first 36km of railway. Subsequent tenders will relate to the acquisition of rolling stock and electromechanical works. The electric trains will travel at speeds of up to 1
    Read More

Highlighted Content