Spooners Tunnel temporarily closed

The Spooners Tunnel is temporarily closed to the public to allow structural improvements to be carried out at the northern tunnel entrance.

Council Engineering Services manager Peter Thomson said a routine geotechnical inspection by the Council’s consultants Tonkin and Taylor had identified the need for the work. The tunnel was closed to the public on Wednesday 20 July.

“We need to ensure public safety so as a precaution we have closed the tunnel until further notice to allow our geotechnical engineers to assess the best way bolster that section of the tunnel and then carry out improvements. The tunnel will be closed for two weeks for the assessment to be carried out. That will give us a better idea of what the improvements will involve and how long they will take to complete.

“Unfortunately, with a tunnel that is 125 years old some maintenance issues are to be expected and that’s why we carry out regular inspections and monitoring. Spooners Tunnel has experienced a significant change in use since it was opened to cyclists and walkers as part of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail and that, combined with heavy rain over the past few weeks, may have had an effect as well.

“We appreciate the patience of cyclists and walkers while this work takes place. We know this is an extremely popular part of the Trail and we’re committed to having it open again as soon as possible.”

ENDS

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