Editing Queensway Tunnel (section)

===Operation===
[[Image:Liverpool Queensway Tunnel ventilation tower and offices Pierhead.jpg|thumb|[[George's Dock Building|George's Dock ventilation and control station]], Pier Head]]
By the 1960s, traffic volume had increased, and, in 1971, the [[Kingsway Tunnel]] opened to relieve congestion.

In 1984, the lighting system underwent a major upgrade to improve visibility and safety, as the low light levels were contributing to an increased risk of accidents. The outdated wall-mounted lights were replaced with modern overhead fixtures. Rather than using traditional scaffolding, double-decker buses were purchased and modified by removing their roofs, allowing workers to move easily along the tunnel's length. These buses also provided on-board toilet and catering facilities. The £1 million scheme also included re-cladding and a repaint of the tunnel. The upgraded lighting was officially switched on in June 1984.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo/171562187/ |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |title=Brighter lights go up in Queensway Tunnel |page=14 |date=13 June 1984}}</ref> Alongside the lighting upgrade were also resurfacing works, costing around £500,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo/171679008/ |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |title=Brighter tunnel lies ahead... |page=2 |date=27 August 1982}}</ref> On 17 July 1994, the tunnel was closed for the day and was used for pedestrians only to celebrate its 60th anniversary.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo/171561118/ |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |title=Queensway Tunnel Diamond Jubilee: Traffic and Transport Information |page=26 |date=15 July 1994}}</ref> Official estimates put the number of people walking through the tunnel in excess of 20,000, while a concert in the tunnel had to be abandoned due to fears of crushing.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-post-merseyside-ed/171561286/ |newspaper=Daily Post |title=Human Traffic Jam |page=1 |date=18 July 1994}}</ref>

In April 2004 construction began on seven emergency refuges below the road deck, each capable of holding 180 people, as part of a £9 million project to bring the tunnel into line with the highest European safety standards. Each refuge is {{convert|21|m}} long and {{convert|3|m}} wide, accessible from the main tunnel walls. The refuges have fire resistant doors, ramps for wheelchair access, a supply of bottled water, a toilet, and a video link to the [[Mersey Tunnels Police]] control room. All seven refuges are linked by a walkway below the road surface, with exits at the Liverpool and Birkenhead ends.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

In 2012 the tunnel was refurbished, with 5,999 added panels &ndash; ceramic steel cladding replacing the old plastic corrugated wall cladding to improve lighting and to give the tunnel a 21st century look.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Weston|title=Artwork incorporated in Mersey Tunnel refurbishment|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/artwork-incorporated-mersey-tunnel-refurbishment-3356267|access-date=19 July 2014|newspaper=[[Liverpool Echo]]|date=28 Jan 2012}}</ref>