Vic: EPA crackdown on smokey cars in $500m tunnel

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2001
Vic: EPA crackdown on smokey cars in $500m tunnel

Victoria's Environment Protection Authority is launching a blitz on smokey vehicles
travelling through Melbourne's recently-opened $500 million Burnley tunnel.

The crackdown follows complaints of poor visibility and high pollution in the tunnel,
an intergral section in the CityLink tollway system.

Last week, a manager for a gas detection equipment company said he had measured carbon
monoxide levels in the tunnel at above acceptable levels.

But while the enviroment authority maintains there is no pollution in the tunnel,
it admits there are visibility problems from soot particles from poorly-tuned engines,
particularly from heavy trucks accelerating up a steep incline.

The blitz operates from 9am tomorrow on vehicles travelling towards CityLink's Burnley
and Domain tunnels.

Owners of vehicles caught emitting smoke for 10 seconds or more will be issued with
fines of $500 for individuals and $1,000 for companies.

At the same time CityLink's operator, Transurban, is improving ventilation in the underground
roadway.

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KEYWORD: TUNNEL (MELBOURNE)

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