The opening of the tunnel in August 2005 was accompanied by unanticipated public criticism. It centred on the cost of the toll ($3.56 main tunnel and $1.68 for the SJYC exit) and the extent and impact of road alterations. The daily CCT patronage in the first weeks of fewer than 20,000 vehicles was a fraction of the 70,000 vehicles a day forecast by CCM.
In October 2005 CCM announced a toll-free period. Also, the Premier commissioned the Infrastructure Implementation Group in his Department to report on motorways (the Richmond Report).