Sydney’s Rozelle Interchange is currently under construction after three years of design planning, it is a mammoth AUD$3,6 billion project and the most complex interchange of its type in the southern hemisphere.

The project will provide a new underground motorway to motorway interchange with connections to the new and existing motorways including the future Western Harbour Tunnel, ANZAC Bridge and Iron Cove Bridge, the project adjoins the CBD on the harbour edge. As a result of the road infrastructure being underground, the Project will provide over nine hectares of new public open space with recreational and passive space and includes improved connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists. The Rozelle Interchange Project is being designed and constructed by the John Holland CPB Contractors Joint Venture (JHCPB). by Studio Colin Polwarth (urban design) + Willow (motorway buildings), HASSELL (landscape design), Studio Chris Fox (ventilation outlets) and WSP Arcadis Joint Venture. The parklands will return industrial land to the community for public use, creating an enduring legacy for the Project. Studio Colin Polwarth designed the major bridges and the urban design of the motorway control centre and tunnel ventilation inlets.

Key features of the project include:

• The majority of the motorway interchange is located underground

• Added nine hectares of new parkland in Rozelle, a suburb of Sydney as part of the CBD infrastructure

• Three major active transport bridges that reconnect suburbs designed by Studio Colin Polwarth

• One bridge, connecting the new parklands to the existing rail station, is vegetated with trees and landscape, the bridge was designed by Studio Colin Polwarth

This is one of Australia’s largest urban design projects currently under development, the design which was undertaken in consultation with the community, local councils and an expert urban design panel is controlled by Ministerial Conditions of Approval. The design may not be changed without express written agreement by the Minister. This process is set up to ensure that the quality and design intention of the project is maintained into the operational stage and beyond. The following images are a selection from the approvals document which show plans, sections and drawings of the landbridge designed by Studio Colin Polwarth. A construction photograph shows one of the girders of the landbridge being lifted into place in August 2021. The project is due to be completed next year.

Drone photography by @ruthgoldphotography