M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace: Black Hill to Tomago

CM+ are the urban designers of all project elements for this extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway between Black Hill and Tomago which is currently under construction. The project will improve road safety and connectivity, reducing congestion and conflicts with local traffic movements on the M1, the main traffic and freight link between Sydney and Brisbane.

The project seamlessly integrates with the adjoining M1 and is comprised of a 10 kilometre four lane, dual carriageway, with major interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro and Tomago, eight bridges, a 2.5 kilometre viaduct across the Hunter River and active transport links connecting adjacent communities. Improved access and enhanced entry to the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens is also part of the project, incorporating feature trees, interpretive artworks and signage.

The project urban design approach responds to the corridor’s alternating open floodplain and enclosed forest and wetlands environment, enhancing the motorway’s identity as a flowing road alignment integrated with the landscape. Connection to Country has been a key design driver and is integrated into design elements, creating a sense of place and identity.

Celebration of Connection to Country

The design provides a clear expression of Country and the relationship to the Hunter River. This is achieved through the integration of artwork provided on safety screens, and the entry to the HRBG, along with landscape elements at the interchanges and signposting of Country. The artwork has been developed with Saretta Art & Design who have created the artwork design to incorporate Country.

The strategy adopted to incorporate the artwork has been to develop a visual motif that is an abstraction of the objects and symbols identified by Saretta that have heritage values and are of cultural significance. The visual motif is integrated into the urban design elements. A consistent theme has been established that can be applied to the various project elements though multiple expressions.

A waterways and wetlands theme has been identified as the primary theme for the Project. The themes are overlaid with people and community themes, such as the symbols and objects related to gathering places for men and women, or boats and fishes. These combine to bring together one large theme of the life on Country and acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land.

Colour has been incorporated in the design of the artwork for the above elements. The landscape treatments at the interchanges incorporate indigenous plant species that have a Connection to Country.