Tunnel renovation on the E55 highway begins

There are traffic delays on the D8 (E55) highway between Dresden and Prague due to construction work on two tunnels. On the Czech side, the 2.1-kilometre-long Panenska Tunnel and the approximately 400-metre-long Libouchec Tunnel have been completely closed for a week since Tuesday, according to the RZD freeway authority.

In this area, a full closure applies in both directions. For car and truck drivers, detour routes have been signposted through the Ore Mountains, but these lead along narrow and sometimes confusing roads. The Czech highway D8 connects to the A17 on the Saxon side.

The Czech police asked for patience. They urged drivers to form emergency lanes immediately on the detour routes if necessary. According to the CTK agency, around 140 officers are on site to regulate traffic. After the one-week full closure, traffic will be routed through one of the two tunnel tubes in both directions for months. Further full closures are also planned for the beginning of July and October.

Maximum speed will be increased in future

The cost of the renovation work amounts to the equivalent of almost 30 million euros. Among other things, the emergency walkways, drainage, fire doors and smoke extraction from the escape routes will be renewed or repaired. There will also be new traffic signage. The maximum speed in the tunnels will be increased from 80 to 100 kilometers per hour once the work is complete.

The two highway tunnels Panenska and Libouchec were already completed in 2006. However, the handover of the final construction section of the entire D8 (E55) freeway was delayed until 2016.