MAJOR repairs to the Blackwall Tunnel will be completed six months ahead of schedule.
Transport for London revealed they were due to finish the project before the Olympics take place in July 2012.
And the progress of contractor BAM Nuttall means planned closures for September 10 to 13 have been cancelled - however, a shutdown from October 15 to 18 will still go ahead.
Kulveer Ranger, Transport Advisor to the Mayor of London, said: “This refurbishment is essential to safety when using the 113 year old tunnel. Credit should go to the engineers whose rapid progress now means those works may be able to finish six months earlier than scheduled, and in time for the 2012 Games.”
Work started in February and it was expected to take three years to complete the �70 million refurbishment of the 113 year old tunnel.
Builders have already completed new ventilation fans and concrete floors in two of the tunnels four shafts and the installation of temporary lighting, CCTV and communications systems throughout the tunnel, which will allow the old systems to be removed.
TfL also expects to be able to reduce the number of weekend closures required next year. A final decision on this will be made after the October weekend closure.
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