WORK on upgrading the Blackwall Tunnel could be finished earlier than expected.
The £70m, project to modernise the 113-year-old northbound tunnel began in February and will now be finished in time for the 2012 Olympics, six months ahead of schedule.
The work has meant extensive night-time and some weekend closures, which have caused headaches for many local motorists.
So far new ventilation fans and concrete floors have been installed and temporary lighting, CCTV and communications systems are now in place to enable the old ones to be removed..
Work to install permanent new systems will begin later this year.
Closure of the tunnel on September 10 to 13 has been cancelled and the final weekend closure this year will be from October 15 to October 18.
Transport for London also expects to reduce the number of weekend closures next year.
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