Midway through the month, Doc extended the submission deadline by 15 days to February 20, because of the extent of public interest in the $150 million project.
Yesterday the submission count had reached 197, but Doc could not release how many were for or against the 11.3km tunnel that would run between Routeburn Rd near Glenorchy and Hollyford Rd near Te Anau.
Milford Dart Ltd director Tom Elworthy said yesterday he was not surprised many had taken interest and submitted, and he suspected most of those would be in opposition.
"If it's only 200 ... I suspect there will be more," he said.
"I think the majority would be against it because they're more motivated and vocal."
Mr Elworthy said it was too early in the process to give a reaction to the submissions.
"I haven't really been following the process.
"There is potential for a big change we think, and overall growth of the market and area."
He said although there had been some heavy opposition from the Glenorchy community earlier in the week, he was prepared to help get a bypass around the township if it did not want to be involved with the tunnel.
"If they are worried about traffic, there is only a small number of professionally driven buses. If they want a bypass we'd help with it."
Dave Hawkey, a director of one of Te Anau's largest tourism operators, Real Journeys, said it would be submitting against the tunnel.
"Real Journeys will be opposing the tunnel. As a company, we have concerns with anything that will take visitors away from Te Anau."
