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Connecting the M1 Pacific Motorway and the Hills M2 Motorway , the nine-kilometre tunnel , which reaches depths of 90m , cost $ 3bn to build and can carry 100,000 vehicles per day .

However , aside from the engineering feats connected with the tunnel – and the significant impact it has on traffic flow around the NSW capital – the most striking thing about the NorthConnex tunnel is its interior design .

Those who ’ ve driven through it cannot help but be taken by the , well , decor .

It ’ s stunning ! Beautiful back-lit silhouettes of native birds and trees capture the feeling of Kuring-gai Chase National Park , and a night sky simulating different intensity of stars features too . Each internal lighting feature spans 160m , and are certainly worth the journey alone .

However , it ’ s not purely cosmetic . The installations were informed by a research partnership between Transurban , Transport for NSW , The University of NSW and AustRoads .

The lighting features are designed to keep drivers engaged throughout the journey , with innovative LEDs ensuring a safe transition from daylight to tunnel , and vice versa . Projects such as the Norra Lanken Tunnel in Sweden have successfully used such techniques in recent years .

The tunnel ’ s lighting has won international accolades , too . Last year it claimed a major honour at the International Association of Lighting Designers Awards in Chicago , and Michele Huey , Transurban NSW Group Executive said :

“ Since it opened in October , drivers on our city ’ s newest motorway have loved driving under the lighting displays , and now the experts agree . The Excellence Award recognises lighting design that reaches new heights , moves beyond the ordinary , and represents excellence in aesthetic and technical design achievement .

“ Not only has the lighting turned up the safety and experience of drivers , but it has also created a recognisable brand and identity for NorthConnex .

“ There are five brilliant installations , three white or blue backlit forest silhouettes in the northbound tunnel , and starry skies and speed lines heading south .”

Huey discussed the research that went into the designs .

“ Designing not only for aesthetics but as an active safety measure has never been done like this elsewhere in tunnel environments . The partnership was years in the making , involving the Australian and NSW governments , Transurban , Transport for NSW , AustRoads and the University of NSW , and involved driving simulators and the largest worldwide survey of tunnel users to examine driver behaviour .” So , if you ’ ve not travelled through the NorthConnex tunnel as yet , give it a try next time you ’ re in Sydney . As well as getting you to where you want to go more quickly , it ’ s a damn fine drive , too . n

NorthConnex factfile

APR – MAY 2022 GEMCELL . COM . AU 11