Page "Homer Tunnel" Paragraph 9

Roof lighting was fitted and traffic lights reintroduced in 2004 to reduce capacity constraints and safety issues.

Although the tunnel is large enough for a bus and a smaller vehicle to pass, meetings involving two coaches or campervans are problematic.

This is alleviated by the fact that the traffic is very tidal, towards Milford Sound in the morning and toward Te Anau in the afternoon.

The traffic lights operate only during the peak summer season, since the avalanche risk makes it unsafe to stop and queue at the portals in winter and spring.

With increasing traffic on the road, it is expected that the risk to vehicles waiting at the portal will also increase.