The new Tyne Tunnel

[2slo]

I rarely have to go through the tunnel these days and today was the first time I've been through since they opened old and new. What a difference, no waiting, straight through, 40mph all the way and coming back straight onto the A19 without having to queue for the Jarrow roundabout. It's taken long enough but I think it's a big improvement. I went through at 10am and back at lunchtime so I didn't see the peak traffic. Anyone have to commute through it? Any better at busy times or is it still bad?

[z4me]

Nope, not seen a queue since last week when second tunnel opened, even at peak times. Item on local news said last night that queues had been eliminated, and 12% more traffic was going through. Only downside is prices go up in January.

[ad111s]

I was involved in the construction and thought there might still be a small queue at peak time but how wrong I was, there is no queue at anytime.

Before my commute from Seaham to Wallsend took minimum 45mins hitting the tunnel at 7am now I can leave the house at 7am and i'm in work 20mins later

[andy rob]

isnt it good ! first time through too night, it was that good i went back through it !!
made my week

[stargazer30]

Yup after 8 years of tunnel queues ruining my commute and MPG it seems like its over with. Not seen a queue since the new (old refurbished to be exact) tunnel opened.

However I did see a f-wit in a BMW changing lanes under and over taking his way through the tunnel. How long before we end up with a crash blocking both lanes I wonder? I was hoping the tunnel patrol would have stopped him at the other end and towed his car away for him.

[Marty63]

am I right in saying although the tunnel is open it is not finished ?
the walls should have a white finish but time line left them bare concrete
or has this been rectified, been 2 weeks since been through.

[ad111s]

As far as im aware what you have now is what you get, if it were toc be painted thats only something else to maintain in the years to come

[badlands1]

I wish they would give that painting contract to me.
Or have I just got tunnel vision.

[ad111s]

As far as im aware what you have now is what you get, if it were toc be painted thats only something else to maintain in the years to come

[Marty63]

last time i was through there were no lights in the tunnel at all,
illumination from car lights only, is this the same or now lit ?
seemed very dark and dingy.

[ad111s]

Both tunnels are lit but the new (southbound) tunnel is much darker than the old (northbound tunnel)

[Wedg1e]

I did hear on the underground grapevine that the new tunnel is leaking... mate is a CivEng, apparently the bedding for the tunnel sections has settled or cracked or whatever so the segments have moved. It's not getting into the road tunnel yet, just the outer shell, apparently.

[2slo]

Wedg1e said:

I did hear on the underground grapevine that the new tunnel is leaking... mate is a CivEng, apparently the bedding for the tunnel sections has settled or cracked or whatever so the segments have moved. It's not getting into the road tunnel yet, just the outer shell, apparently.

Shh - you're giving away one of the $million special effects for the 2012 blockbuster 'Disaster in the Tyne Tunnel' starring, of course, Bruce Willis, co starring another bad wig and the same dirty vest. Apparently Clarkson has a small part in it too, as a tunnel jobsworth.

[ad111s]

Yes the tunnel is leaking, but it is designed to leak to some degree, I also heard that at present it may be leaking a little more than was designed.

(I didn't work on the tunnel sections)

[WorAl]

Yes, the tunnel is great now, no traffic jams at the tunnel any more. Here are it's faults though, from someone who uses it every day.

Entering northbound from south shields, you HAVE to go into the inside lane, where you always find some twunt who thinks 15-20 mph is the maximum the speed limit should be.

Yes, there are no traffic jams anymore, at the tunnel, however because the traffic flows so well, the jams now end up at the Moor Farm Roundabout due to the numbskull council having 1 lane for the A19 and 2, yes two for the A189 north. Which tosser thought that was a good idea?

That's about it really though. Really pissing me off with the MFR though as that's my direct rout home. I now find it easier and quicker to go through town

[2slo]

WorAl said:

the jams now end up at the Moor Farm Roundabout due to the numbskull council having 1 lane for the A19 and 2, yes two for the A189 north. Which tosser thought that was a good idea?

Strange. I would understand it if there was one lane going towards Ershington and six or seven coming away from it

[WorAl]

2slo said:

WorAl said:

the jams now end up at the Moor Farm Roundabout due to the numbskull council having 1 lane for the A19 and 2, yes two for the A189 north. Which tosser thought that was a good idea?

Strange. I would understand it if there was one lane going towards Ershington and six or seven coming away from it