MEDIA RELEASE

TRANSIT NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON REGIONAL OFFICE

15 August 2007

Transit to close Terrace Tunnel briefly for emergency exercise

Transit New Zealand will be closing the Terrace Tunnel briefly on Sunday morning (19 August 2007) for an emergency exercise to test systems and responsiveness in the event of an incident in the tunnel.

Transit’s Central Zone Operations Manager Mark Owen says the Terrace Tunnel will be closed between approximately 8.00am and 10am for the exercise. Diversions are available and will be well signposted on the road while the exercise takes place.

The exercise will involve members of the Fire Service, Ambulance, Police, Wellington City Council, Transit and it’s consultant and contractor.

A similar exercise was undertaken at the Mt Victoria tunnel last year, also to test the region’s emergency responsiveness should an incident occur in a tunnel. Further exercises in relation to Wellington’s tunnel operations and emergency responsiveness, particularly in light of recent international tunnel fires, will be conducted in future.

Transit thanks members of the public for their patience and understanding while this exercise takes place.

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