NorthConnex Tunnel

Services: Installation

Location: Wahroonga and West Pennant Hills, NSW

NorthConnex spans across nine kilometres and connects the M1 Pacific Motorway at Wahroonga to the Hills M2 Motorway at West Pennant Hills.

Currently known as the deepest road tunnel in Australia, it alleviates congestion on the notorious Pennant Hills Road, which has 21 sets of traffic lights.

Fredon assisted in the installation of the tunnels unique aesthetic light displays which are designed as subtle visual stimulants to keep drivers alert through their underground journey. Drivers will see blue and white forests when travelling northbound, starry skies and speedlines when travelling southbound, as well as backlit silhouettes of native Australian birds at the entry portals of the tunnel.

Fredon was also responsible for installing, testing and verifying the HV and LV, communication and control systems on the project, which included the following:

  • Tunnel equipment and cabling including the installation of main carriageway ladder, supports, bracings, light fittings and cabling
  • Installation of over 900 kms of HV, LV and communications cable
  • Fitout of underground HV and LV substations
  • Installation and termination of tunnel traffic management devices such as signs, devices, speed detection and communication equipment
  • Installation and termination of tunnel safety management systems such as fire detection cabling, air monitoring instruments, smoke detection systems and emergency lighting
  • Installation and termination of submain and jet fan cabling
  • Construction verification of all installed electrical equipment

The NorthConnex tunnel was opened for public use in the third quarter of 2020.