The first of nine new passing opportunity sections to smooth traffic flows on SH2 between Napier and Gisborne was officially opened yesterday.
The stretch, at Te Ngaru north of Tutira, is part of a $4 million construction programme to ease traffic congestion, especially on the stretch from Napier to Wairoa where heavy traffic had increased since the closure of the rail link.
Napier MP Chris Tremain was on hand with the New Zealand Transport Agency's highways manager for Hawke's Bay and Gisborne Chuck Dowdell in opening the first of the passing zones.
Safety was the paramount factor, Mr Dowdell said.
"We recognise that passing opportunities make a big difference for making people's journeys easier and safe.