Karori Tunnel
The Council intends to do to work on Karori Tunnel to make it safer and more accessible for pedestrians and to stop it from leaking.
Upcoming maintenance work – September 2019
As part of the annual maintenance programme for the Karori Tunnel, the tunnel portal entrances, internal wall and handrail will be washed and painted during September 2019. This work is not part of the upgrade project. The tunnel will be closed at night from mid-September for approximately one week. Traffic will be diverted between 11pm and 5am while the tunnel is closed. More details will be advised closer to the time.
Resize
Update: this project is on hold
The tender we received exceeded our budget for the work, so we are now considering options for a way forward. Although we know residents will be inconvenienced by the delay to this project, the Karori tunnel underwent significant earthquake strengthening in 2012.
Previous major work on Karori Tunnel
We completed essential earthquake-strengthening work on the Karori Tunnel portals and nearby banks in 2012. An earthquake assessment of the tunnel showed that the portal walls at the tunnel entrances and nearby slopes were likely to suffer significant damage in a major earthquake. The work was part of the Council's ongoing programme to strengthen important transport routes and earthquake-prone structures.
About Karori Tunnel
Karori Tunnel was built in 1900 and is Wellington's oldest road tunnel. It links Karori with Kelburn and the city centre and is regularly used by motorists, pedestrians and buses. Around 114,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel each week.
More information
Jone Sumasafu, Project Engineer
Transport & Infrastructure
Email: jone.sumasafu@wcc.govt.nz