| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ewingsdale, New South Wales, Australia |
| Status | Proposed |
| Route | Pacific Highway |
| Operation | |
| Work begun | expected to start early 2012 |
| Opened | expected in 2014 |
| Owner | Roads and Traffic Authority |
| Traffic | Automotive |
| Character | Highway |
| Technical | |
| Construction | Baulderstone |
| Length | 340 metres (1,120 ft) |
| Number of lanes | 2 x 2 |
| Operating speed | 110 km/h[1] |
| Tunnel clearance | 5.5 m |
| Width | 13.3 m |
| Grade | 2.2% |
The St Helena Tunnel is a proposed twin-tube road tunnel under St Helena Hill located near the settlement of Ewingsdale, New South Wales, Australia. The tunnel is part of the proposed Pacific Highway new alignment between Tintenbar and Ewingsdale.
The proposed tunnel is to avoid the steep grades of St Helena Hill. It will be approximately 340 m long and 45 m below the ridge line. The tunnel in fact will comprise two road tunnels, one eastbound and one westbound, each with two traffic lanes.[2]
The planning approval and construction funding for the Pacific Highway Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade including the St Helena Tunnel was approved in January 2010. In May 2010 the RTA called registrations of interest for the construction of the upgrade. In December 2010 three companies were invited to submit a detailed tender. In August 2011 the contract was awarded to Baulderstone.[1][3]
The project is jointly funded by the State and Federal governments. It is expected to be completed in 2014.[4]