Gibraltar- new routing for drive-ins/outs

[sciac2001]

For those of us who have experienced driving into and out of Gibraltar, after years of traffic chaos in Gibraltar caused by jams when aircraft land, a re-routing via a newly built tunnel under the eastern end of the runway will come into effect this Friday.
The below is taken from a notice prepared by a local estate agent:
“

March 28, 2023 Dear Eric This is a special edition of the Bitesize Brief given Friday’s opening of the Airport Tunnel and the impact it has on pedestrian and vehicular journeys. The information is included in a Government Notice which also contains visual route maps. This unprecedented project has taken 14 years to complete, with the contractors on site for a total of 9 years whilst works were suspended for a period of 5 years due to litigation proceedings. The original contract was signed in November 2008 by the then Chief Minister Sir Peter Caruana. Full Government statement. Airport Tunnel Information The tunnel opens on 31st March 2023 at 00:01 From this date, it will be the only regular access point for all cars and motorcycles (including commercial vehicles) to the frontier, Gibraltar International Airport, Eroski supermarket, Western Beach and Four Corners. Vehicular access • Drivers should follow road signs and adhere to any instructions as may be directed by the RGP / Highways Management Officers at all times. Going towards the frontier / Gibraltar International Airport / Eroski supermarket • The main entrance and exit point to the tunnel on the Rock side is the new roundabout at the junction of Devil’s Tower Road and Sir Herbert Miles Road. Entry from the frontier • On entry to Gibraltar, turn left at the new roundabout and follow road signs past the HM Customs Commercial gate and into the tunnel. Traffic from Gibraltar International Airport / Eroski supermarket / Four Corners / Western Beach • Traffic from these areas should also use the new roundabout and follow road signs past the HM Customs Commercial gate and into the tunnel. Pedestrian / cycling subway • A separate subway provides a safe way for pedestrians, cyclists, scooter / e-scooter riders and mobility scooter users to travel through the tunnel, via a footbridge accessible from Eastern Beach. • For clarity, scooter refers to the self-propelled type and an e-scooter to one propelled by electricity. • For the purpose of this document, mobility scooters fall in the same category as e-scooters. • Motorcycles are any larger type of vehicle whether they are propelled by petrol or electricity. Crossing the runway • Only pedestrians, cyclists, scooter/e-scooter riders and mobility scooter users will be allowed to cross the runway after 31st March 2023. All vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, vans and trucks must use the tunnel via Devil’s Tower Road and the East Gate roundabout.”

 

[sciac2001]

Historic day in Gibraltar on the first day that vehicle traffic is re-routed under the new tunnel.
It felt strange (and so quiet) crossing the runway by foot today.