An artist’s impression of the updated Mt Victoria Tunnel colour scheme

MEDIA RELEASE

4 May 2016 | CENTRAL REGION

Mt Victoria Tunnel colour scheme updated after trial

After a five-month trial of the colour scheme for the Mt Victoria Tunnel upgrade, a decision has been made on the final paint colour on the inside of the tunnel portals and along the pathway.

“The inside of the tunnel portals were painted a light green as a trial. What we found was the light green colour, combined with the new LED lighting, highlighted the rough wall surface of the 84 year old tunnel and stains from water seepage,” Neil Walker, Highways Manager, Wellington, NZ Transport Agency says.

“We’ve also received negative comments from the public about the look of the walls. We’ve decided to use a more muted colour, which is less likely to draw attention to the roughness and seepage stains, while still meeting safety and light reflection requirements.

“We’ve had a colour tinted specifically for the tunnel, called Mt Victoria Robin’s Egg Blue. This light greyish blue-green colour will provide continuity with the plant rooms at either end of the tunnel and is in keeping with the 1930’s era of the tunnel,” Mr Walker says.

Painting Mt Victoria Robin’s Egg Blue inside the tunnel portals and along the pathway wall is expected to begin from Sunday 8 May. The painting will be incorporated into the existing upgrade work programme and will take place during the standard night-time closure.

The Mt Victoria Tunnel colour scheme is designed to limit distraction for drivers. Along with Mt Victoria Robin’s Egg Blue inside the portals and along the walkway, there will be soft white on the lower walls and new carriageway wall panels, and black on the ceiling.

The Mt Victoria Upgrade Stage 2 project began in April 2015 and is due for completion in mid-June, incorporating:

• LED lighting designed for safer drive-through

• Pedestrian walkway seismic strengthening

• Exterior portal slopes strengthened and concrete surfacing improved

• Updated and structurally improved carriageway wall panels

• A 21st century and state-of-the-art emergency communications system, including a pilot of thermal imaging cameras

• Upgraded tunnel management systems

• Control room refurbishments

• Ventilation fans replaced or reconditioned

A public open night will be held on Sunday 19 June to mark the completion of the project.

More information about the project is available on line www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/mt-victoria-tunnel-upgrade-stage-2

ENDS

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