Light at end of tunnel

Transport authorities are among the most criticised of civil servants, but they should be celebrated when they make decisions that make sense.

Driven congratulates the New Zealand Transport Agency for its decision to restore the 100km/h speed limit around Waterview Tunnel.

We were among those who criticised the reduction to 80km/h for kilometres of motorway at either end of the tunnel.

So it is fair to acknowledge the authority’s restoration of the upper limits around the tunnel, from July.

The authority sought public feedback about the change, and a “significant majority” of the 3000 submissions it received, recommended restoring the limit.

The agency says the changes on State Highways 20 and 16 will allow maximum speeds of 100km/h in certain driving conditions, and will be implemented in two phases.

So, no longer will those travelling

west out of the city towards the western suburbs have to stick to

80km/h for kilometres, even though they are driving straight past the tunnel.

Similarly, those heading from the airport into town or the western suburbs will no longer have that frustratingly slow drive 3km before entering the tunnel.

Few have complained about the

80km/h limit applying inside the tunnel, and that will remain.

The lower limits have been in place since the tunnel opened last year, and seemed to most of us to be overly cautious.

But from July, traffic should flow more smoothly leading into and out of what is one of the most effective traffic innovations Aucklanders have enjoyed in years.