Timelapse. Bluebridge ferry to Levin via Transmission Gully in 16minutes!

[@MikeB-gf6dj]

Thank you for uploading this. I drove that route every week for 30 years, and haven't since driven it for 18 yrs. What Big changes, Double lanes now all the way to nearly Otaki, Gee what a difference that would make ! Alot more traffic on the road now than was back then.

[@toyotatim2521]

That brings back memories of visiting NZ in 2019 and 2022, have they finished the Kapiti expressway past Otaki yet? It must be one of the slowest builds on record, quite well on the way in 2019 and 2022 not much different. I quite liked Levin and visited an excellent classic car show there in 2019

[@musicman53]

I gather you were towing a caravan. How did you find Transmission Gully, particularly the big downhills? With my caravan I'm tempted to stick to the way less hilly old route which is super quick now. Great video BTW, I never get sick of that badass new motorway deep in the hilly Wellington back country.

[@vidmem]

Thanks. It is actually high up above the windscreen on a 7 m motorhome. Going up Transmission gully not to bad but yeah have to take it a bit careful on the way down which is the same for all hill descents . . . change it down a gear or two. Pretty easy to do on a multi lane downhill as you don't have to put yourself under pressure to not slow down the following traffic.

[@musicman53]

@@vidmem Thanks for that, I’ll give the Gully a try with the caravan next week. The long downhill into Mackays Crossing is the same grade as Ngauranga Gorge but 2x the length so even in 3rd I will need to tap the brakes often. I have heard that some truckies with heavy loads are choosing to use the old route.

[@TheCheddarist]

Arguably the dullest, ugliest stretch of SH1 south of Hamilton.