South Eastern Freeway tunnels closed, restricted this week for safety upgrade testing

The South Eastern Freeway tunnels will be closed to nearly all traffic at times this week. Get all the details here.

Testing of the freeway tunnels’ new fire suppression system – and other safety upgrades – will required closure or restrictions all week from Monday night

New footage shows the new fire suppression system in action, part of a raft of safety upgrades built inside and near the Heysen Tunnels, on the South Eastern Freeway.

Work started March year under an extensive $150m safety refit project, in which construction work has taken place mainly at night.

Transport department officials are testing the new safety equipment inside and on the approaches to the Heysen Tunnels this week, including roadway signage, to ensure all systems operate correctly.

Temporary night road closures and restrictions will run from Monday until Saturday.

Uptrack – or Crafers-bound tunnel

November, 18, 19 and 23

7pm to 11pm – initial speed and lane restrictions

11pm to 6am – detour via Mount Barker Road (Eagle On The Hill) except for heavy vehicles

Downtrack – or Adelaide-bound tunnel

November 20, 21 and 22

7pm to 9pm – initial speed and lane restrictions

9pm to 6am – detour via Mount Barker Road (Eagle On The Hill) for all vehicles, including heavy vehicles

The Heysen tunnels on the South Eastern Freeway will be closed or restricted at night this week. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

The major safety refit is repairing or replacing some tunnel elements at the end of their service life.

Lengthy delays and changing speed restrictions were caused by work on the city-bound tunnel across most of January, which confused some drivers as they were directed on to the other side of the freeway.

Originally published as South Eastern Freeway tunnels closed, restricted this week for safety upgrade testing