Tunnel will take three years to complete

GIBRALTAR (Agencies) In answer to questions, Government confirmed to Parliament that the tunnel under the airport -aimed at decongesting vehicle traffic- will not be ready until the Spring of 2015. The question by Opposition Leader Peter Caruana to Chief Minister Fabian Picardo elicited the response that new documents are being prepared in order to put the remaining work out to tender. These are not only in regard to the tunnel itself but also include other allied projects. Tender would not be decided until at least March next year. Stating that the tunnel is "of great importance to Gibraltar," Caruana asked if the tender offer could not be huirried along as the work would take two years to complete. Picardo answered that it was being done "as quickly as possible." The new terminal is completed -at a building cost of over €70million and operational costs expected to be close to €3million a year- and is due to be inaugurated by Prince Edward when he visits Gibraltar as part of his mother's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in July.