Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the new Victoria Park Tunnel in Auckland will unlock the city and relieve one of the key motorway choke points.
[image:3530:third:right]The $340 million tunnel was officially opened on Saturday morning by Prime Minister John Key.
A public open day is now being held and 17,000 people have registered to walk through it.
Mr Joyce said the three-lane tunnel will ease congestion on one of the busiest sections of the motorway network between the Auckland harbour bridge and Newmarket.
The route is used by 160,000 vehicles each day.
The 450-metre tunnel will be finished in March next year.
Two northbound lanes will open on 14 November.