New Fire Suppression System For Eisenhower Tunnel Get Green Light

GEORGETOWN, Colo. (CBS4) Its one of the biggest concerns in Colorados highway system what if the EisenhowerJohnson Memorial Tunnels had to be closed and repaired? The state is moving one step closer to making sure that doesnt happen by installing a new fire suppression system that could also likely save lives.

Its going to be the greatest improvement to tunnel since initial construction, CDOT Project Manager Raelene Shelly said.

For the past 40 years there has been one main source for putting out fires at the tunnel.

We have 52 employees here at the tunnel that are all trained in basic firefighting skills, Shelly said.

While thats worked in the past, the Colorado Department of Transportation has received a total of $25 million from the federal and state governments to make the tunnel safer.

They currently run hurricane force winds through there if theres ever a fire, but what were looking at getting the funding to install is a sprinkler system, U.S. Rep. Jared Polis said.

We have had nine significant fires inside the tunnel and two of them have caused damage, said. Our system will actually reduce damage to the tunnels and keep them open for the public.

There was an RV that caught fire in the tunnel in the year 2000 and a number of other close calls. But now the system design has been picked and a contractor is ready to start next year.

Theres a linear heat detector on the ceiling of the roadway and it will detect heat which will send a signal to the control room. An operator will decide whether or not theres a fire, Shelly said.

Sprinklers will go through ventilation already in place.

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New Fire Suppression System For Eisenhower Tunnel Get Green Light