Work began in February 2010 and was expected to take until December 2012 to complete. But progress has been so good, says client Transport for London (TfL), that work will be finished by December this year instead.
New ventilation fans have been installed in the tunnel's four shafts as well as new lighting, upgraded CCTV and new communications systems installed throughout the tunnel. The work has taken place during weeknight closures.
The tunnel has also been closed for some weekends for parts of the work. TfL says that it will only need three more weekend closures of the northbound Blackwall Tunnel to complete the safety upgrade of the 113-year-old tunnel. These closures will allow BAM Nuttall to continue resurfacing the entire 1.4km tunnel.
TfL has also begun installing 26 inlets in the tunnel wall (including emergency phones and fire extinguishers) providing a safe area for drivers whose vehicles break down in the tunnel.
Garrett Emmerson, TfL鈥檚 chief operating officer for London streets, said: 鈥淭fL remains committed to do everything we can to minimise disruption to drivers in east London whilst these vital improvement works are being carried out.鈥�
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