Happy Birthday Heysen Tunnels!

They turn 21 today. It was on a sunny 5 March 2000 that Prime Minister John Howard cut the ribbon to officially open the $500M new M1 Crafers Highway project.

Invited guests then watched a convoy of trucks emerge from the Adelaide-bound tunnels portal. After the opening, the guests drove along the new section of road before making their way to Eagle On The Hill Hotel for refreshments and lunch.

The new highway saw the removal of the notorious Devil’s Elbow with twin tunnels taking traffic under Eagle On the Hill and on to the existing South Eastern Freeway at Crafers.

Richard Maurovic was the official artist to the project and Prime Minister John Howard opened his Crafers Highway-themed exhibition displayed at the Eagle on the Hill Hotel.

Devil’s Elbow, Adelaide Hills // 1999 // Acrylic on canvas // (diptych) each panel 60cm x 80cm // Private Collection

Approach To Devil’s Elbow // 2000 // Watercolour // 21cm x 30cm // Private Collection

Heysen Tunnels Portal // 2008 // Acrylic on canvas // 60cm x 60cm // Private Collection