"We are committed to safety and Bizkaia's infrastructures, prioritising the protection of users"
After two and a half years of works, the La Avanzada tunnel has been adapted to the Provincial Decree on Tunnel Safety in Bizkaia
We have participated in the review of the tunnel’s safety requirements in both the design phase and the monitoring of its construction, as part of the Bizkaia Tunnel Safety Inspection Body (OITB) and in collaboration with Sener, Tekia and the University of Valencia.
The tunnel incorporates improvements that increase safety, reduce noise impact and favour urban integration.
This section of the BI-637, with an average daily intensity of around 100,000 vehicles, is key to the connection between the right bank and the Kukularra junction, posing a challenge in order to carry out the works without affecting traffic.
Compliance with the Provincial Decree
The OITB has been involved in reviewing compliance with DF135/2006, including the following actions:
- Basic infrastructure and safety: adaptation of the cross section, new road surface, laying of aesthetic coating, construction of 11 emergency exits, signalling, beaconing and a new barrier.
- Electricity: new redundant and emergency power supply system, with the construction of two new transformer centres.
- Lighting: installation of LED floodlights for permanent and back-up lighting with a DALI dimming system and evacuation lighting for emergency situations.
- Ventilation: installation of fans to achieve adequate air quality in normal situations and to expel exhaust fumes in the event of fire.
- Fire protection: the tunnel has been equipped with a new detection system using fibrelaser and thermal cameras, fire extinction through the installation of hydrants, dry columns, fire hydrants and extinguishers and a new deluge installation in the central part of the tunnel.
- Security, surveillance and control: traffic management and control systems, such as barriers, traffic lights and dynamic signalling have been incorporated, along with thermal cameras and public address systems for a rapid and effective response to incidents.
Staff training and drills
The OITB has also participated in the procedures for the commissioning of the tunnel, including staff training and a full-scale simulation with intervention teams and emergency services, such as the fire brigade, Osakidetza (Basque Health Service), local police and Ertzaintza (Basque Police).
With this action, TECNALIA reinforces its commitment to the safety and continuity of Bizkaia's infrastructures, prioritising the protection of users.
Inspection and audit services for Tunnel Safety Installations
We have extensive experience in the inspection and audit of safety installations in tunnels, such as electrical power, lighting, ventilation and fire protection systems.
We have also been leading the Bizkaia Tunnel Inspection Body - OITB for more than a decade.