East side track tunnel will finally open at the end of March, says Gibraltar Chief Minister

The Eastside Tunnel under the runway will finally open at the end of March, 15 years after the construction project began.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo revealed the news to Parliament in response to a question about whether the Sundial Rotunda would be given a makeover.

It will mean that cars entering the British Overseas Territory will reach the city via Eastern Beach and Devil’s Tower Road.

Pedestrians and bicycles will continue to use the lane crossing.

The new 1.2 km dual carriageway will end the traffic jams caused by planes landing at rush hour.

Visitors will now be greeted by the ever-expanding Devil’s Tower Road complex of buildings as they enter Gibraltar.

Years of legal disputes with the Spanish developer OHL delayed the completion of the tunnel.

Its completion will allow the National Stadium to go ahead as planned.

But the development of the stadium will force the government to relocate the College of Higher Education, tear down the old Bayside School and the old Blands Avis buildings.

However, the Cross of Sacrifice will remain in place.

Picardo added that there were no plans to remodel the Glorieta Sundial.

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