The tar seal is down, and the electronic signs are up - all ready to welcome the Waterview Connection's first drivers.
Apart from lane markings and a few loose ends, the twin 2.4 kilometre-long tunnels are almost ready to open.
Brett Gliddon, New Zealand Transport Association's Highway Manager, said: "The main part of work now before we open is commissioning all the equipment in the tunnel and that takes quite a bit of time. We've got to make sure it absolutely is going to operate perfectly."
The $1.4-billion project has been years in the making with construction first starting back in 2012.
Once complete, the tunnels will link Auckland's southwestern and northwestern motorways and upgrades to connecting roads will help form the city's Western Ring Route.
New tunnel boring machine technology (TBM) in particular has helped speed the project along.
"The 'TBM' technology just didn't exist if we go back ten years, [not] to allow us to build tunnels of this size," says NZTA Project Manager Iain Simmons.
Once completed, the Waterview tunnels will be New Zealand's longest and newest tunnels, and that means they will come with a range of new technology.
There are heat sensors installed which can help detect smoke or flame and special lighting systems that change according to the weather conditions outside.
Even the colour of the paint on the walls is specifically designed for tunnels - it helps assist with driver concentration.
And, there's the "deluge system" - it can drench different sections of the tunnel in case of a fire.
So with everything pretty much operational, what's left to be done before the tunnels open in April?
"You can imagine the signs that we need to put up and the control systems that send messages to people," Mr Simmons said.
To reward their efforts, tables and food will be lugged into the tunnel - for a special dinner just before opening.
"Logistically, they're quite a tricky thing to do, and while it's unique it's not necessarily the nicest place to do a dinner. It can be quite cold in here with a lot of wind!" Mr Gliddon joked.
Let's hope they're still not testing the deluge system when that happens.
Newshub.
