Work gets underway on the new Lyttelton Tunnel Control Building

Work is underway building the new Lyttelton Tunnel Control Building.

Christchurch-based Higgs Construction has been awarded the $1.5 million contract to construct the 310sqm building, a purpose-built facility to manage the operation and maintenance of the Lyttelton Tunnel.

The NZ Transport Agency Highway Manager Christchurch Colin Knaggs says as it's almost two and a half years since the original Peter Beaven-designed building was badly damaged by the Canterbury earthquakes, it is good to at last see work getting underway on the site.

"Considerable time was spent investigating options to repair and retain the original building but the cost could not be justified. It was demolished earlier this year under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011."

He says the new building will be built closer to the tunnel, in an area at less risk from rockfall and to 180 per cent of the Building Code to ensure it can continue to operate in the aftermath of any future earthquake.

The new Lyttelton Tunnel Control Building is expected to take six months to complete and is scheduled to be officially opened during the Lyttelton Tunnel's 50th anniversary celebrations in February next year.

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