The improvements, first offered by US tunnellers 80 years ago, are long overdue. The case for a large cutting like that at the Transmission Gully summit seems well made here. There are substantial economic benefits for Wellington and the region with a more accessible, enlarged hinterland - psychologically as well as physically closer - especially as global heating looks likely to mean substantial population increases in our future. An easy road through the Remutakas increases the attractiveness of SH2 as a main road north with consequential benefits to communities all along the route. The opportunity with our present roading-oriented government should be seized now, timed to parallel the significant railway improvements under way for a revitalised Wairarapa.