{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}} {{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}} {{Infobox tunnel |name = St Helena Tunnel |image = St helena tunnel.png |caption = St Helena Tunnel in December 2015 |location = [[Ewingsdale]], [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]] |coordinates = {{Coord|-28.6527|153.5482|format=dms|display=title,inline|region:AU-NSW_type:landmark}} |route = [[Pacific Highway, Australia|Pacific Highway]] |status = Open |startwork = 27 September 2012 |opened = 18 December 2015 |close = |owner = [[Transport for NSW]] |traffic = Automotive (Cyclists and Pedestrians in side lane) |character = [[Dual carriageway]] [[Grade separation|grade-separated]] [[Highways in Australia|national highway]] |vpd = |construction = [[Lendlease]] |length = {{convert|434|m}} |lanes = Built for 3 lanes each direction, opened as 2 northbound & 3 southbound |speed = {{convert|110|km/h}} |hielevation = |lowelevation = |height = {{convert|5.3|m}} |width = {{convert|13.3|m}} |grade = 2.2%}}
The '''St Helena Tunnel''' is a twin-tube [[road tunnel]] that forms part of the [[Pacific Highway, Australia|Pacific Highway]] near [[Byron Bay]], [[New South Wales]], Australia. The {{convert|434|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} tunnel under St Helena Hill in the locality of [[Ewingsdale]] was built as part of the {{convert|17|km|adj=on}} Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade, which involved a new alignment of the highway.
==Features== The tunnel was built to avoid the steep grades of St Helena Hill on the previous alignment of the highway, and the associated heavy truck noise and pollution. At its deepest point the tunnel is {{convert|45|m}} below the {{convert|131|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} ridge line. There are two tunnels, with the northbound tunnel accommodating two traffic lanes and the southbound three traffic lanes, due to the gradient of the highway at this point. There is also a bicycle/pedestrian lane in each tunnel.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110320235419/http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/files/36070/Submissions%20Report%20and%20Preferred%20Project%20Report.pdf Environmental Assessment Submissions Report] [[Roads & Traffic Authority]] May 2009</ref>
The cost of the Tintenbar–Ewingsdale upgrade project was $862 million, jointly funded by the [[Government of New South Wales|New South Wales]] and [[Government of Australia|Federal]] governments.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111006103530/http://www.farnorthcoaster.com.au/news/7876/planning-approval-given-for-tintenbar-ewingsdale-pacific-highway-upgrade/ Planning approval given for Tintenbar-Ewingsdale Pacific Highway upgrade] ''Far North Coaster'' 29 January 2010</ref> It opened on 18 December 2015.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20250128092053/https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/northern-tunnels St Helena Tunnel] [[Transport for NSW]]</ref> The remaining tie-in work at each end was completed in March 2016.
The St Helena Road passes over the top of the tunnel and provides local access to the Bangalow Road (B62) that is a link between [[Bangalow]] and Byron Bay.<ref>{{cite map |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/-28.5879861,153.5446912/-28.6528351,153.5483945/@-28.6542424,153.5449588,17.33z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?hl=en |title=3776 Pacific Highway, Tyagarah NSW 2481, Australia to Saint Helen Tunnel, Ewingsdale NSW 2481, Australia |publisher=[[Google Maps]] |date=2016 |access-date=26 November 2016 }}</ref>
==Milestones== * January 2010 – Planning approval and construction funding for the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale project including the St Helena Tunnel * May 2010 – [[Roads & Maritime Services]] called for expressions of interest for the construction of the upgrade * December 2010 – three companies were invited to submit detailed tenders * August 2011 – the contract was awarded to [[Baulderstone]]<ref>[http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/northern-nsw/tintenbar-to-ewingsdale/index.html Pacific Highway Tintenbar to Ewingsdale Upgrade] Roads & Traffic Authority</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120322021527/http://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/articleid/75218.aspx Another stage of Pacific Hwy duplication gets all clear] ''[[Australasian Transport News]]'' 9 August 2011</ref> *27 September 2012 – the shovel ceremony was held to commemorate the start of construction *28 May 2013 – Blasting began on the twin tunnels *24 January 2014 – Excavator broke through on the northbound tunnel<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140213012817/http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/tunnel-breakthrough-a-major-milestone-for-highway-/2149660/ Tunnel breakthrough a major milestone for highway upgrade] ''[[The Northern Star]]'' 24 January 2014</ref> *26 February 2014 – Excavator broke through on the southbound tunnel *December 2015 – Commissioning of tunnels began *18 December 2015 – The highway upgrade, including the twin tunnels, opened to traffic
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline}}
[[Category:Northern Rivers]] [[Category:Pacific Highway (Australia)]] [[Category:Road tunnels in Australia]] [[Category:Tunnels completed in 2015]] [[Category:Tunnels in New South Wales]] [[Category:2015 establishments in Australia]]