Heysen Tunnels facts for kids
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| Portal of the Heysen tunnel | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Adelaide Hills south east of Adelaide |
| Route | South Eastern Freeway National Highway 1 |
| Operation | |
| Traffic | automotive, including commuters and heavy freight |
| Toll | N/A |
| Vehicles per day | 45,700 |
| Technical | |
| Construction | 1998 |
| Length | 500 metres (1,600 ft) |
| Number of lanes | 3 in each tunnel |
| Operating speed | 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph) |
| Tunnel clearance | 5.3 metres (17 ft) |
The Heysen Tunnels are two large road tunnels located in South Australia. They carry the South Eastern Freeway under a part of the Mount Lofty Ranges called Eagle On The Hill. These tunnels are an important part of National Highway 1. They were officially opened in May 2000.
Building the Heysen Tunnels
Each of the Heysen Tunnels is about 500 meters long. To dig through the rock, engineers used a special tunnelling machine. This machine is usually used for big mining projects. It was very powerful and could dig about 3 meters of tunnel each day. The construction of the tunnels was completed in 1998.
Traffic and Safety
The Heysen Tunnels are very busy. On average, about 45,700 vehicles use them every day. Each tunnel has three lanes for traffic, which helps keep cars moving smoothly.
For safety, there are rules about how tall vehicles can be inside the tunnels. The maximum height allowed is 5.3 meters. To make sure no vehicle is too tall, laser height detectors are used. These detectors check vehicles before they enter the tunnel. If a vehicle is too high, the system warns the driver. This helps prevent accidents and damage inside the tunnels.
Who are the Tunnels Named After?
The Heysen Tunnels are named after a famous artist, Sir Hans Heysen. He was a well-known landscape painter who lived in South Australia. Naming the tunnels after him honors his contribution to the state's culture.
