Karori Tunnel
Wellington City Council intends to do to work on Karori Tunnel in early 2019, in order to make it safer and more accessible for pedestrians and to stop it from leaking.
Resize
These improvements are in response to ongoing feedback regarding the concerns of residents and users of the tunnel.
Vehicle and pedestrian access to the tunnel will be affected at times while the work is underway, and diversions will be in place. More information will be available nearer the time.
Previous major work on Karori Tunnel
We completed essential earthquake-strengthening work on the Karori Tunnel portals and nearby banks in 2013. 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.
What's being done?
- Repairing and replacing damaged plastered areas on both sides of the tunnel
- Re-pointing existing brickwork with lime mortar (brickwork protection and waterproofing)
- Repainting the repaired and damaged plastered areas
- Upgrading of the pedestrian footpath