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Introduction
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Key Dates
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Travel Advice
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News & Updates
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Tyne Tunnels History
What is happening?
The Northbound Tyne Tunnel is set to be closed for a total of 35 weekends for scheduled maintenance which will ensure the longevity of the tunnels for generations to come.
The maintenance will begin on the 7th June 2024 and end on 3 March 2025.
To cause minimum disruption to users during its busiest times, both tunnels will remain open, as usual, from Monday to Friday.
On the weekends when maintenance is being carried out on the Northbound tunnel, drivers will cross the river using the Southbound tunnel which will act as bi-directional - a single lane carrying traffic north and a single lane going south.
Why is this happening?
The Northbound tunnel was constructed in the 1960’s and opened to the public in 1967.
TT2 Limited was appointed by the local authorities that own the infrastructure to manage the toll road in 2007 - during the construction of the second tunnel, and the refurbishment of the first. This management contract is now halfway through its 30-year term and as with all major infrastructure projects, significant periodic maintenance is required.
The schedule of programmed maintenance in the Northbound tunnel has been phased as a series of weekend closures. This is intended to minimise disruption to the traveling public and businesses at a time when there are other similar scale works being undertaken across the region. This agreed programme of works supports the readiness of the tunnels to be handed back to the local authorities in 2037.
Crossing the Tyne? Plan your time.
Total of 35 weekends between the 7th June 2024 and end on 3rd March 2025.
Closures will begin Friday at 8pm of each scheduled weekend with normal operation resuming on the following Monday at 6am.
Closures won't take place on Great North Run 2024 weekend.
Closures won't take place for 3 weekends across the festive period.
Bank holiday weekends will see an extension of the closure, closing at 8PM Friday and re-opening at 6AM Tuesday. This does not affect any Friday bank holidays.
The Northbound Tunnel will be closed during the following periods:
8PM 3rd May - 6AM 7th May 2024
8PM 7th June - 6AM 10th June 2024
8PM 14th June - 6AM 17th June 2024
8PM 21st June - 6AM 24th June 2024
8PM 28th June - 6AM 1st July 2024
8PM 5th July - 6AM 8th July 2024
8PM 12th July - 6AM 15th July 2024
8PM 19th July - 6AM 22nd July 2024
8PM 26th July - 6AM 29th July 2024
8PM 2nd August - 6AM 5th August 2024
8PM 9th August - 6AM 12th August 2024
8PM 16th August - 6AM 19th August 2024
8PM 23rd August - 6AM 27th August 2024
8PM 30th August - 6AM 2nd September 2024
8PM 13th September - 6AM 16th September 2024
8PM 20th September - 6AM 23rd September 2024
8PM 27th September - 6AM 30th September 2024
8PM 4th October - 6AM 7th October 2024
8PM 11th October - 6AM 14th October 2024
8PM 18th October - 6AM 21st October 2024
8PM 25th October - 6AM 28th October 2024
8PM 1st Novmeber - 6AM 4th November 2024
8PM 8th November - 6AM 11th November 2024
8PM 15th November - 6AM 18th November 2024
8PM 22nd November - 6AM 25th November 2024
8PM 29th November - 6AM 2nd December 2024
8PM 6th December - 6AM 9th December 2024
8PM 13th December - 6AM 16th December 2024
8PM 10th January - 6AM 13th January 2025
8PM 17th January - 6AM 20th January 2025
8PM 24th January - 6AM 27th January 2025
8PM 31st January - 6AM 3rd February 2025
8PM 7th February - 6AM 10th February 2025
8PM 14th February - 6AM 17th February 2025
8PM 21st February - 6AM 24th February 2025
8PM 28th February - 6AM 3rd March 2025
What to expect with bi-directional operation:
North Side of the River:
South of the River:
Check back here for news updates on the works.
21st March 2024 - Northbound Tyne Tunnel set for major maintenance
The Northbound Tyne Tunnel is set to be closed on 36 weekends for scheduled maintenance which will ensure the longevity of the tunnels for generations to come.
To cause minimum disruption to users during our busiest times, both tunnels will remain open, as usual, from Monday to Friday.
On the weekends when maintenance is being carried out on the Northbound tunnel, drivers will cross the river using the Southbound tunnel which will act as bi-directional - a single lane carrying traffic north, and a single lane going south.
The maintenance will begin on 3 May for one weekend of initial works, then recommence on 7 June and end on 3 March 2025 - with the exception of the Great North Run weekend and the three weekends across the festive period when the tunnels will remain fully open.
Closures will begin at 8pm on the Friday of each scheduled weekend with normal operation resuming on the following Monday at 6am.
TT2 Limited was appointed by the local authorities that own the infrastructure to manage the toll road in 2007 - during the construction of the second tunnel, and the refurbishment of the first. This management contract is now halfway through its 30-year term and as with all major infrastructure projects, significant periodic maintenance is required.
This is an agreed programme of works in readiness for the tunnels to be handed back to the local authorities in 2037.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Wallace, said: “We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused by what is essential maintenance that will ensure that the tunnels continue to serve our region safely and efficiently for many years to come.
“The programme of maintenance has been phased as a series of weekend closures, intended to minimise disruption to travelling public when other similar scale works are being undertaken across the region.
“Weekday customers should not see any impact on travel times but traffic may be heavier than usual when travelling at peak times on Saturdays and Sundays.
“We are investing heavily in a major communications campaign to let people know about the partial closure periods in advance and help minimise disruption throughout.”
Driving the region forward since 1967.
Imagine a time when crossing the Tyne meant ferries and longer waits, hindering work, trade, and daily life. That was the reality before the Tyne Tunnels.
The first Tyne Tunnel (Northbound) was completed in 1967 after almost 6 years of construction, and was fully operational by 1968 when the approach roads were complete. The tunnel brought a vital asset to the North East region, supporting the growth of industries, communities, and businesses. The first tunnel saw 4,000 vehicles travelling per day with a tunnel capacity of 25,000.
As the region grew, congestion and traffic jams became more common and a need for a second tunnel became apparent. In 2008, construction of the second tunnel began and the tunnel opened in 2011 seeing 38,000 vehicles travel per day.
Jump forward to 2021, Open Road Tolling began seeing the removal of the toll booths, providing faster & smoother travel by driving straight through. The transition created 80 new jobs, and we now see over 60,000 vehicles travelling with us.
