M5 East Freeway Maintenance Work Update – May 2012
The M5 East Freeway was closed for scheduled, night time maintenance work from the 13/05/2012 to 17/05/2012.
During this closure, the maintenance team undertook various planned maintenance activities such as lighting checks, air quality sensor checks and routine cleaning, testing and inspections as part of the freeways operations and maintenance schedule.
One of the activities carried out during the month of May, was the replacement of a large portion of the main tunnel lighting. There are approximately 4000 light globes used to illuminate the 4km of main tunnel in each direction. The light globes are changed periodically and used in the general lighting as well as the emergency lighting and transitional lighting of the tunnel.
Air quality sensors installed in the tunnel are also maintained on a regular basis. These sensors are used to monitor the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other air quality measures to ensure the air in the tunnel is consistently safe at all times. The sensors have various set points that when met, activate jet fans to move the air through the tunnel into ventilation stacks.
Other planned maintenance activities also conducted during this closure included:
- Rubbish removal and vegetation trimming.
- Wall washing and road sweeping
- Cleaning of cross passages within the tunnels.
- Inspection and cleaning of CCTV equipment.
- Inspection and maintenance of tunnel fans.
- Installation of nine new freeway guide signs.
- Over Height Detection sensors tested and aligned.
- Testing and maintenance of the fire deluge system in the tunnels.
- M5 East tunnel lighting replacement