Ōtira and Springfield celebrate 100 years since tunnel opening
Ōtira was a bustling town with about 650 people when the Ōtira Tunnel first linked the West Coast to the rest of the South Island 100 years ago.
Communities at both ends of the tunnel are celebrating its centenary on Friday.
The rail tunnel travels 8.5km through the Southern Alps and was once the seventh longest tunnel in the world, and the longest in the British Empire.
Although the rail tunnel is now only the third longest in the country, it remains an engineering marvel.
During its construction, tunnellers contended with harsh conditions, using basic tools to drive through wet shale and rock, and with the steep track required from Ōtira to Arthur’s Pass.
A committee of Ōtira residents was set up two years ago to organise a celebration to commemorate 100 years since the tunnel opened on August 4, 1923.
Read reporter Joanne Naish's full story here (subscription required).
Are we there yet? A city stuck in traffic
Christchurch is New Zealand’s fastest-growing main centre but has the lowest spend on public transport, an incomplete cycling network, and the worst peak-time traffic congestion.
For the second year running, data from global navigation company Tomtom shows it takes longer to travel 10km in Christchurch during rush hour than New Zealand’s other main centres, and it is getting worse.
Tomtom’s data also shows that during rush hour, Christchurch can have 50 traffic jams across the city, with over 30km of clogged roads.
Driving that 10km takes an average of 19 minutes and 10 seconds, up from 18 mins 30 secs last year. Last week’s slowest day was Wednesday at 5pm, with 24 mins.
While Aucklanders’ longer journeys and extra motorways mean slightly more time overall in rush hour traffic, they cover 10km quicker at an average of 16mins and 30secs. Wellingtonians takes 18mins 20secs.
How's your commute? Read the full story by reporter Liz McDonald here and share your thoughts in the comments below. (A subscription is required, or you can see two free articles a month).
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