This photograph documents the construction of the Jacana Underpass Tunnel, a landmark infrastructure project undertaken to allow Melbourne’s Western Ring Road to pass beneath a complex transport corridor. The corridor included Pascoe Vale Road, Electric Street, and four active railway lines—two broad gauge, one standard gauge, and one commuter line—making traditional tunneling or bridging methods impractical. The tunnel was constructed using a pioneering hydraulic jacking technique, where precast concrete tunnel segments, each weighing approximately 1200 tonnes, were pushed into place through pilot tunnels. This method minimised disruption to the busy transport corridor above, which carried tens of thousands of vehicles and multiple rail services daily. The Jacana Underpass Tunnel was constructed between 1992 and 1993 as part of Melbourne’s Western Ring Road project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at improving traffic flow and connectivity across the city’s northern suburbs. The underpass was designed to carry the freeway beneath a complex transport corridor that included Pascoe Vale Road, Electric Street, and four active railway lines—two broad gauge, one standard gauge, and one commuter line. Due to the shallow depth of cover—less than one metre in some areas—and the need to maintain uninterrupted road and rail services above, engineers employed an innovative hydraulic jacking technique. This involved pushing precast concrete tunnel segments, each weighing approximately 1200 tonnes, through pilot tunnels using hydraulic rams. The method was one of the largest of its kind in Australia at the time and allowed for the safe and efficient installation of the tunnel without open excavation. The photograph captures a key stage in the construction process, showing the dual tunnel portals, heavy machinery, and construction materials on site. It reflects the scale, complexity, and ingenuity of late 20th-century civil engineering in Victoria and provides valuable insight into the evolution of Melbourne’s transport infrastructure.This photograph documents a pivotal moment in the construction of the Jacana Underpass Tunnel, part of Melbourne’s Western Ring Road infrastructure project undertaken in the early 1990s. The image features two tunnel entrances under construction, surrounded by heavy machinery, construction materials, and temporary fencing, with a dirt access road leading into the site. The Jacana Underpass was constructed using a hydraulic jacking technique, a method that allowed large precast concrete tunnel segments—each weighing approximately 1200 tonnes—to be installed beneath a live transport corridor without disrupting traffic or rail services. This innovative approach was one of the largest of its kind in Australia and addressed significant engineering challenges, including shallow cover and complex geological conditions. The photograph is significant for its documentation of advanced civil engineering practices and the transformation of Melbourne’s northern suburbs through major infrastructure development. It provides insight into the construction techniques, site logistics, and material use typical of large-scale tunneling projects in the late 20th century. As part of an archival collection, this image contributes to the historical record of urban growth, transport planning, and engineering innovation in Victoria. It holds enduring value for researchers, historians, and infrastructure professionals studying the evolution of public works in the state.Colour photo. Construction Site. Jacana underpass tunnel.(Back - blue pen) 'Underpass/Jacana'underpass, jacana, construction, 1990's, jacana underpass tunnel, western ring road

Colour photograph of the bluestone underpass between the oval and the swimming pool at the Federation University Mount Helen campus.federation university australia, underpass, bluestone

hand written on back: Queens Way underpass under construction 1967/68?black and white photograph fair condition unmountedQueen's Way Underpass under construction. 1967/68. C14. H71. Copyright. This photograph may not be reproduced without permission in writing from the Editor of "The Age". 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne and 39/41 York st, Sydney.

hand written on back: Queens Rd underpass, St Kilda Junction Photo filed 18.8.1968black and white matt photograph good condition unmountedQueen's Road underpass, St Kilda Junction. Photo filed 18.8.1968. H71. V 13120. Copyright. This photograph may not be reproduced without permission in writing from the Editor of "The Age". 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne and 39/41 York st, Sydney.

hand written on back: Queen's Road underpass. Photo filed 11.12.1967 Shows a building with a large vertical neon sign 'Recruiting'black and white matt photograph good condition unmountedQueen's Road underpass. Photo filed 11.12.1967 L16514/5 H71. Copyright. This photograph may not be reproduced without permission in writing from the Editor of "The Age". 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne and 39/41 York st, Sydney.

aerial view. hand written on back: Queens Way underpass under construction. Photo filed 30.4.1968black and white photograph in plastic coverQueen's way Underpass Under Construction 1968 "Age". Photo filed 30.4.1968. V6429 H71 C170. Copyright. This photograph may not be reproduced without permission in writing from the Editor of "The Age". 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne and 39/41 York st, Sydney.

Four colour photographs of pedestrian Underpassstawell railways transport

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Pedestrian Underpass-Bypass 18/2/96"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Pedestrian Underpass-Bypass 18/2/96"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Pedestrian Underpass-Bypass 18/2/96"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Ringwood Bypass Pedestrian Underpass- near Suda Av"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Ringwood Bypass-Pedestrian Underpass-near Suda Av"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Ringwood Bypass-Pedestrian Underpass 21/1/96"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Ringwood Bypass-Pedestrian Underpass 3/2/96"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Ringwood Bypass-Pedestrian Underpass 10/3/96"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Ringwood Bypass-Pedestrian Underpass 10/3/96"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Ringwood Bypass-Pedestrian Underpass 5/4/96"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Ringwood Bypass-Pedestrian Underpass 26/5/96"

Colour photographWritten on back of photo: "Ringwood Bypass-Pedestrian Underpass 14/7/96"

Black and white photographs - 2 copiesPrinted directly below photographs, "1. overturned engine and tender at the 'dead end' which was carried away. The X indicates position of fireman McKeone when rescued. 2. View from the road. Railway accident at Ringwood". Typed below photograph, "Ringwood derailment 1902 at Wantirna Rd. underpass looking north. Maroondah Highway near trees beyond underpass". Date incorrect, should be 11 Feb 1908 (as per item 2019) - refer to The Argus article published on Wednesday 12 February 1908, page 7. Thanks to railway enthusiast Neal Glover for pointing out the error.

shows constructionblack and white matt photograph good condition unmountedThe Queen's Way underpass. Photo filed 11.12.1967. L15119 H71. Copyright. This photograph may not be reproduced without permission in writing from the Editor of "The Age". 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne and 39/41 York st, Sydney.

Dirt Road with houses and planter boxes for street trees on one side.Multiple copies of photos SS0078 and SS0079 - Backing sheet on one reads "Bedford Rd. looking east from Warrandyte Rd. railway underpass, c1910". Others have Bayswater Rd, Bedford Rd etc names. Some copies state "Ringwood House on Right". There is a also a postcard version. SS0079rev is an image of the postcard reverse, dated feb 24 1910

Steam Trains at Armstrong'sstawell

Gift of the artist, 2005

Ron Brons photographic study of Ringwood.

Ron Brons photographic study of Ringwood.

Ron Brons photographic study of Ringwood.

Ron Brons photographic study of Ringwood.

Travelling along Queens Way in open car after official opening, 12 Dec 1968black and white photograph, unmounted, originalHandwritten on back Sir Rowan Delacombe (left) and Mr A H Croxford (right) travelling along Queen's Way after the official opening [of the St Kilda Junction] Photo filed 12-12-1968.

Hotham St railway underpasselsternwick, hotham st, hotham st railway, o’donnell, jenny