At a press tour Wednesday the state Department of Transportation showed off some safety precautions in the new tunnel set to open Monday.

Chris Johnson, Maintenance and Operations Manager at WSDOT, said cars driving from the south create a current that clears exhaust.

"If the air starts to get a little bit bad," Johnson said, "then the jet fans will fire up and we can artificially create that draft, or that draw, through the tunnel."

The air quality is monitored constantly for oxygen and carbon monoxide levels and large vents on the wall open if need be.

Huge jet fans are on standby in case of a serious incident; Johnson says he hopes they never have to use them.

At both ends of the tunnel bright lights have been installed to help your eyes adjust between tunnel light and sunlight.



