Sydney, Australia’s NorthConnex is completed and officially opened to traffic! Located northwest of Sydney, the $3-billion twin 9km (5.5-mi) project of tunnels contain rigid pavement and are the deepest road tunnels in Sydney. The “NorthConnex” is an award-winning project that opened to motorists on the night of October 30, 2020, with the final tests and safety checks completed in November. Awards include a ‘Leading’ Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design rating by Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA)—the first project to win this highest award; and 2 Environmental awards. NorthConnex has also created 4km (2.5 miles) of new or improved shared pathways for cyclists, including a 30-meter (100-foot) elevated cycleway which travels above the westbound on-ramp. This will will change the way drivers travel across the city!
At the official opening event, Gladys Berejiklian, Premier of New South Wales, was joined by Alan Tudge, Federal Minister for Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure; Andrew Constance, Minister-Transport and Roads; Scott Charlton, CEO–Transurban; local MPs; and workers.
Ms. Berejiklian said the project has been a major driver of employment, creating around 8,700 jobs for the state. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said NorthConnex had delivered thousands of jobs to support hard-working families and now motorists would benefit for generations to come.
For more information and several informative
short videos click links below.
“Around 300 businesses from the Western Sydney area and another 50 from the Central Coast have also contributed to the project, highlighting the opportunities this project has created for local suppliers and contractors,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Alan Tudge stated Sydney motorists will soon be experiencing the extraordinary benefits of the NorthConnex tunnels. He said, “NorthConnex is going to strip up to 5,000 trucks a day off the notorious Pennant Hills Road, which is one of the most congested roads in NSW. The safety benefits for so many families, getting people home safely at the end of each day, is immeasurable.”
In an Australian first, NorthConnex features innovative lighting displays to help keep drivers alert, with stunning starscapes, trees and native bird highlighting the transition from the rural environment of the north to the urban environment of the city.
The Australian and NSW Governments thanked the more than 20,000 residents living along the corridor for their cooperation and patience throughout work on the project.
Elevated Bike Path. Click to enlarge.
Shared CONCRETE PATHS:
NorthConnex has created 4 km (2.5 mi) of new or improved shared pathways for cyclists. The most significant changes are around the Southern Interchange, West Pennant Hills area including a:
- 30-meter (100-foot) elevated cycleway which travels above the westbound on-ramp
- Tunnel to travel underneath the citybound M2 off-ramp,
- Shared path on Pennant Hills Road in front of the Motorway Operations Center
- New M2 Motorway westbound access point at Oakes Road
How they built it:
Ever wanted to know how to build a road tunnel? Find out how by watching the 2 VIDEOS (links below) for a 101 in NorthConnex construction. The animation provides you with a step-by-step guide on how the tunnels were built, starting with the tunnel excavation phase and continuing right through until the mechanical electrical installation, covering topics such as paving and spray-concrete lining—Shotcrete. Also available are videos where you will hear from the tunneling Construction Director while watching the tunnel excavation process happen first hand.
ISCA Sustainability Rating & Environmental AWARDS:
‘Leading’ Infrastructure Sustainability Design rating
In October 2016, NorthConnex was officially awarded a ‘Leading’ Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design rating by ISCA. NorthConnex was the first road project to receive the highest rating.
Environmental Excellence from (IECA) Australasia
In 2018, the NorthConnex project received a highly commended Award for Environmental Excellence from the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) Australasia for its work in relocating a section of Cockle Creek.
Environmental Best Practice Award
The project received a Gold International Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice from the Green Organization. This international award recognized the dedication and hard work invested to ensure the protection of Cockle Creek, as well as broader environmental and sustainability achievements.
Over one hectare of vegetation saved—Through redesign and changes to the construction footprint, the project has successfully saved more than one hectare of threatened vegetation, including 742 individual Epacris on the Hills M2 Motorway.
TINY TUNNELERS PROGRAM, COMMUNITY, + VIDEO
Another wonderful component of this project involves and benefits the local community. It’s called “Tiny Tunnellers”, and was a NorthConnex-funded program designed to improve the uptake of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects in schools. It was offered to preschool and primary school children along the NorthConnex tunnel alignment and was designed to provide a foundation for careers including engineering, tunneling and construction. The 1-hour sessions included an introduction to machinery used on the project, safety demonstrations, environmental experiments, and various craft activities, including building a tunnel. The program has reached more than 2,000 children through schools, after-school care centers, scout groups and NorthConnex-led school holiday programs. NorthConnex thanked the community for their involvement in their Tiny Tunnellers Program. For a VIDEO and more information, please go to: https://construct.northconnex.com.au/community/school-holiday-program
NorthConnex is committed to delivering a lasting legacy and contributing to local communities by providing opportunities for collaboration on learning based activities with primary and secondary schools as well as tertiary education institutions. The Programs have a number of initiatives aimed at encouraging student interest and learning in engineering, design, environment, safety, community and science. For more information, please go to: https://construct.northconnex.com.au/community/education
For more INFORMATION and VIDEOS, please go to the WEBSITE of NorthConnex: https://www.northconnex.com.au/news/northconnex-officially-opened
TOUR the TUNNEL VIDEOS & NEWS: https://www.northconnex.com.au
PROJECT UPDATES & KEY BENEFITS: https://construct.northconnex.com.au
2 VIDEOS: Excavation, Concrete using spoil from rock for mix: Shotcrete; Grout; Rocbolt; Shotcrete on surface of excavation; Bench (BASE) – Shotcrete + Shotcrete topping; CONCRETE PAVEMENT: https://www.northconnex.com.au/construction
3 NorthConnex MAPS:
• In the North
• Along the Tunnel
• In the South
https://www.northconnex.com.au/maps-and-interchanges
DOWNLOAD PDF Map: https://www.northconnex.com.au/content/dam/northconnex/media/maps/NCX_Map_web.pdf