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

  • January 6, 2015
    IRD to deliver Georgia weigh station project
    In a US$8 million contract, International Road Dynamics (IRD) will provide the design, supply, installation and integration of 19 mainline weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems at various locations throughout the state of Georgia in the US. The contract includes mainline WIM scales on the interstate, roadside and scale house electronics, licence plate reading (LPR), USDOT number reading and side view cameras and over-height detection systems at a total of 19 weigh station locations. The systems to be provided w
    Read More
  • January 31, 2012
    Mobile crash barriers provide solid protection
    The function of solid crash barriers in work zones is to separate and protect construction workers from traffic.
    Read More
  • September 1, 2023
    Yunex nets 'multi-million dollar' Bay Area Toll Authority deal
    Tolling infrastructure plus ITS equipment are part of maintenance contract in California
    Read More
  • September 6, 2012
    Thales to upgrade Norwegian railway
    Thales has announced that it has been awarded a framework contract by the Norwegian rail administrator, Jernbaneverket (JBV), to supply a new railway signal interlocking system. The first three projects in the contract, worth over US$41,400,000, are for new signalling systems for the Sandnes-Stavanger line, the Ganddal cargo terminal and Høvik station.
    Read More

Highlighted Content