Hunter Expressway in the Hunter Valley area

This case study demonstrates design principle seven from the Beyond the Pavement urban design guide: Designing an experience in movement.

Hunter Expressway in the Hunter Valley area

The 40km Hunter Expressway links the M1 Pacific Motorway near Seahampton with the New England Highway at Branxton in the Hunter Valley Region. Its alignment and design is informed by a landscape and visual analysis of the corridor that identified the extent of key visual catchments, panoramic and local views, major ridgelines including those within the Sugarloaf Range, major cuts and a variety of landscapes as part of the travel sequencing.

The landscape includes pristine bushland setting through strongly undulating ranges, the Buchanan Floodplain with expansive views both sides of the corridor fringed by eucalypt forest, the Kurri Sand Swamp Woodland, the spotted gum forest east of Branxton and bridging over an area of high Aboriginal cultural value.

A number of landscaped interchanges (1) of different size with legible layouts serve as markers along the journey identifying location and points of road connectivity to towns and important economic activities in the region. Distinctive overpasses with wall type abutments (2) act as portals to the next visual experience. Double rail barriers maximise views, such as from viaducts, to the surrounding landscape.

The Hunter Expressway road alignment and design allows for dramatic views of the topography and landscape contributing to the journey experience and understanding of the landscape.

The Hunter Expressway utilised the bridge and underpass elements to accentuate the change in character along the route. Wall type abutment bridges were used rather than ‘spill through’ abutments to help create gateways or portals between one landscape character area and another. (Photo Greg Jackson).