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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you upgrading the Heysen Tunnels?
The Heysen Tunnels, located on the South Eastern Freeway between Glen Osmond and Crafers, were first opened to road users in March 2000 and provide a high-speed dual carriageway between Adelaide, the south-east of South Australia and the eastern states of Australia.
Although the Heysen Tunnels were constructed to the highest standard at the time, Australian and international standards relating to road tunnel safety have developed significantly in the past 20 years so we’re bringing this important infrastructure up to current standards. The project will also address current Heysen Tunnel elements that are at the end of their service life.
What does the Heysen Tunnels Refit and Safety Upgrade include?
The project includes:
- upgrading the tunnel lighting system to a new LED configuration;
- installing a new automated fire suppression system;
- upgrading the tunnel ventilation system;
- repairing the tunnel lining and installing monitoring equipment;
- upgrading the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) equipment, including thermal incident detection systems, new and replacement Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Lane Use Management Sign (LUMS), Variable Message Signage (VMS) and over height vehicle detection;
- upgrading the traffic management system to restrict access to the tunnels in the event of an emergency incident; and
- upgrading the emergency communication systems, including public address, radio rebroadcast, in-tunnel signage and help phones to improve safety and network reliability.
Will speed cameras be installed in the Heysen Tunnels?
No. Speed cameras are not included in the tunnel upgrade works.
The Heysen Tunnels are regularly closed for ‘routine maintenance’, what’s the difference between that maintenance and this project?
This project includes a major refit and upgrade of the Heysen Tunnels to ensure the infrastructure is upgraded in line with current standards to improve road safety, efficiency, and network reliability for all users.
What is the expected lifespan of the upgrades to the Heysen Tunnels?
The lifespan of the systems and components vary, however the expected operational lifespan of many of them is greater than 20 years.
We have also been future-proofing many of the systems and components to ensure future component upgrades can be undertaken with minimal cost and disruption.