Toll increases at the Cross Harbour Tunnel last September may have contributed to a rise in traffic accidents in Central and Western District as more motorists use the Western Harbour Tunnel, a watchdog says.
Tolls for the 28-year-old tunnel were doubled to $20 for cars and $8 for motorcycles after a new operator took over.
Transport Department data on the three cross-harbour tunnels showed a shift in the pattern of motorists since the takeover and found the accident rate in Central and Western District had increased.
In the four months to December, an average of more than 42,000 vehicles a day used the Western Harbour Tunnel, up 11 per cent on the same period in 1998, while the Cross Harbour Tunnel experienced a three per cent fall.
The Western Harbour Tunnel had also cut its toll fees to the same levels for cars and motorcycles from 10pm to 8am, and all day on public holidays for three months from September.
Some 214 traffic accidents occurred in Central and Western District between September and December last year, up from 160 on the same period in 1998.
