NSW: Tunnel shut due to communications breakdown

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2004
NSW: Tunnel shut due to communications breakdown

The Sydney Harbour Tunnel had to be shut down this afternoon because of a communications
glitch which threatened ventilation and firefighting systems.

The tunnel's control room lost contact with safety systems in the 2.3-kilometre crossing
just before 2 pm (AEDT).

South-bound traffic was allowed back into the tunnel by 2.30 pm (AEDT) and the north-bound
tube was reopened about 4 pm.

A spokesman for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel says an oversized truck was turned away from
the toll plaza at the same time as the power outage, but earlier reports that it hit the
tunnel were unfounded.

The tunnel closure caused a backlog of motorists on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Eastern
Distributor.

AAP RTV gmw/nf/jas/rt

KEYWORD: TUNNEL (SYDNEY)

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