8 Dec 2012

End user

The Raul Uranga - Carlos Sylvestre Begnis Subfluvial Tunnel, formerly known as the Hernandarias Subfluvial Tunnel, is an underwater road tunnel that connects the provinces of Entre Rios and Santa Fe in Argentina, crossing the Parana River between the capital of Entre Rios, Parana, and Santa Candida Island, 15 km from Santa Fe.

The tube sections measure a total of 2,397 m and have 270 m long access ramps at both ends. At its deepest point the tunnel is about 32 m under the average water level of the river.

The tunnel was opened in 13 December 1969 and ranked among the tunnels with most advanced resources and systems at that time.

Business objective

In 2001, a public bidding was organised and the company V&S S.A. was selected as the responsible for the installation of the CCTV system that the security of the tunnel required. Today, 7 years later, that technology went through a process of improvement and update.

With the support of the Santa Fe and Entre Rios governments a new public bidding was planned. Counting with the assistance of Bosch's integrator V&S S.A., the bidding achieved the temporary union of two companies: V&S S.A. y HD-Sales.

Technically, the objectives were clear; the tunnel's internal and external visualisation was still working in VHS so it was necessary to transform it to digital recording. Also a better visualisation, sensibility and quality of the monitors' images were required. In addition it was required to connect the administration video system through networks to provide remote visualisation.

Solution

In first place it was considered necessary to place a recording and hybrid management system like the Dibos to anticipate future IP enlargements or resolution improvements. In addition, high resolution elements and technology in colours were included, removing the existing combination of colour domes and black and white cameras.