Lighting a tunnel, without diesel? That was the challenge facing crews on a major Quebec infrastructure construction project. With teams working deep underground, ventilation was limited and the risks of carbon monoxide buildup meant diesel-powered light towers were off the table. And so they came to us for support. The client told us they needed a safe, reliable, and cost-effective temporary tunnel lighting solution – all without the emissions and maintenance headaches of diesel. This is how we came up with a solution… The Challenge: Lighting Without Emissions The tunneling crews couldn’t afford downtime. But every hour of diesel-powered lighting in a confined space carried these serious risks: Carbon monoxide buildup in a poorly ventilated environment Fuel handling and refueling delays underground Maintenance demands that added cost and complexity The client needed us to help with a zero-emission alternative that would keep the project on schedule and give better protection to their crew. The Solution: ELT-4320 Electric Light Towers To overcome these challenges, we supplied the team with our ELT-4320 Electric Light Towers, each equipped with four high-output 320W LED heads. Unlike diesel towers, these units plug directly into grid power, delivering consistent, flicker-free illumination throughout the tunnel. Further benefits of this? No harmful emissions, no refueling, and no service downtime. “The electric towers gave us the lighting we needed, without the ventilation and carbon monoxide concerns that come with diesel. Plugging into shore power was a game changer.” – Project Team Member The Results: Safer, Cheaper, and Maintenance-Free Switching to electric lighting proved to be a smart financial and operational decision for our client. Over the four-year project, they achieved: Over 80% cost savings – reducing operating costs by more than $700,000 CAD Zero service or maintenance needs on the towers Complete elimination of carbon monoxide risks in the underground work environment Seamless use of shore power before permanent tunnel lighting was in place On top of that, the towers ran silently, reducing noise levels for the crews who were already working in challenging conditions. Lighting the Path for Future Projects For this Quebec tunnel project, the solution was clear: safe, zero-emission lighting that didn’t compromise performance or cost. By delivering our ELT-4320 electric towers, we supported our client to meet their emissions requirements, and also proved that smarter, cleaner lighting can deliver big long-term savings. At Axiom, our role is simple: provide the tools that help crews get the job done safely, efficiently, and on budget. Looking for diesel-free construction lighting or a temporary tunnel lighting solution for your next project? Let’s talk.