The objective of this project was to record some of the personal stories behind the development of the Pacific Highway and the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, told by some of the people who were actually involved in the process and directly affected.
The major output of the study was 36 hours of taped interviews with people involved in all aspects of the development of the routes - planning, route location, survey, concept and detailed design, construction and maintenance activities. There are also interviews with three people who earned their living on the routes - a long-distance truck driver, a bus operator and a Highway Patrol officer.
There are interesting stories of the travelling conditions on the Pacific Highway before it was fully sealed and the growing need for improvements; day-to-day life in the work camps; the development of sophisticated surveying and route location tools; property acquisitions; increasing mechanisation of road construction; environmental challenges; bridges, ferries & floods; and road safety matters.
A compilation CD and booklet summarising the key themes uncovered during the course of the project have been prepared, and may be ordered from the RTA Library at a cost of A$11 plus postage and handling. Orders may also be placed by fax to the RTA Library on 61 2 8849 2913.
The opinions expressed in the oral history interview tapes are those of the individuals concerned and do not necessarily represent in whole or in part the position of the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority.
Researchers and historians may access the source interview tapes and associated logs at the State Records Authority. Further information is available from Maria Whipp, Environmental Officer, Planning and Heritage.
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