 | This article's lead section contains information that is not included elsewhere in the article. (December 2020) |
.jpg) The Lyttelton tunnel portal at the southern end | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Christchurch |
| Coordinates | 43°35′39″S 172°42′42″E / 43.5942°S 172.7116°E |
| Status | Open |
| Route |  Christchurch–Lyttelton Motorway |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 27 February 1964 |
| Owner | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi |
| Traffic | 10,755 (2010) |
| Toll | nil |
| Technical | |
| Length | 1,970 metres (6,460 ft) |
| No. of lanes | two |
| Operating speed | 50 km/h |
The Lyttelton road tunnel runs through the Port Hills to connect the New Zealand city of Christchurch and its seaport, Lyttelton. It opened in on 27 February 1964 and carries just over 10,000 vehicles per day as part of State Highway 74.[1][not verified in body][obsolete source]
At 1,970 metres (6,460 ft), it was the longest road tunnel in New Zealand from its opening until 2 July 2017,[1][failed verification] when it was superseded by the Waterview Tunnels.[not verified in body]
While the tunnel itself was not damaged due to the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the Heathcote tunnel canopy was destroyed. The nearby Tunnel Control Building — a Category I heritage building – suffered significant damage and was closed, before finally being demolished in 2013. Construction of a new control building was completed in 2014.[2][full citation needed]
- ^ a b "Our bridges and structures". NZ Transport Agency. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
- ^ "Triple celebration for Lyttelton Tunnel". NZ Transport Agency. Retrieved 30 July 2014.