23 February 2005

Delays at Mt Victoria tunnel

Transit New Zealand says repairs to correct a major fault in an electrical cable near the Mount Victoria Tunnel will mean delays to traffic.

Reuben Pokiha says that the delays will particularly affect traffic travelling from the Eastern suburbs and airport.

“The fault in the electrical cable has been located between the western portal of the tunnel and the entrance to Wellington College. It will take four days to fix from Monday 28 February until Thursday 3 March,” Mr Pokiha said.

Mr Pokiha said that the cable carries the main electrical feed to the eastern suburbs, and that the power is currently being re-routed. United Network and Siemen’s are carrying out the electrical repairs to the cable, which is buried 1.7 metres under the west-bound lanes on the Basin Reserve side of the tunnel.

“There are 32,000 vehicles through Mount Victoria Tunnel every day. While one west-bound lane will be open at all times, we are encouraging motorists to take alternative routes, around Evans Bay or through Newtown,” Mr Pokiha said.

“If you are going to the airport you should allow an extra half hour, especially at peak times. The barriers round the work site will also have the effect of slowing east-bound traffic. We have informed taxi companies and commercial drivers of these delays,” he said.

“The work will continue night and day, but the most noise will be on Monday 28 February when the hole is being dug. We are sending a letter to residents near the tunnel to tell them what is happening,” he said.

ENDS

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