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How to Build a Street
Cahill Expressway
The position of the Cahill Expressway was determined in 1945 when
the Department of Main Roads prepared a concept report on an expressway
system for Sydney. When the design of the railway and associated
roadway at the Quay became public in 1948, the protests started.
The design was described as ‘ridiculous’, ugly’,
‘unsightly’ and a ‘monstrosity’. The public
formed the Quay Planning Protest Committee to fight the proposal,
but without success. The Cahill Expressway (1958 and 1962) was jointly
funded by the State and the Council and built in two stages with
Council labour. The expressway represented the vision for modern
Sydney. The Premier J. J. Cahill described it at the opening on
24 March 1958 as ‘a striking symbol of Sydney’s growth
and maturity and a monument to the skill and industry of the people’.
(SMH, 25 March, 1958.)
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Clearing
the path
Work began on the Cahill Expressway in 1955. Terraces were
demolished along York Street North to make way for the new
road. The low-rise city skyline in the background is dominated
by billboards and neon signs. Taken by the City Engineer,
29 June 1955.
(image: City of Sydney Archives, CRS 268/268)
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| The
changing face of the Quay
The road was built above a new elevated railway station,
completed in 1955. Taken from Macquarie Street, you can see
the tram stop at Customs House in the background of this photograph.
People queue in Alfred Street, waiting for the next tram.
(image: City of Sydney Archives, CRS 48/298)
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| Skill
and industry
The construction of the Cahill Expressway was an engineering
feat. The City Engineer’s Department proudly documented
the work of council labour. In the foreground you can see
some of the workers taking a well-earned break while the photographer
snaps away. This photograph was taken from the Bradfield Highway
looking east along the route of the eastbound carriageway,
26 April 1956.
(image: City of Sydney Archives, CRS
268/426)
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| Growth
and maturity
The Cahill Expressway taken from the newly built AMP Building,
9 April 1962.
(image: City of Sydney Archives, CRS 268/2453)
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| Stage
2
Work on the second stage of the expressway – which
became known as the Eastern Distributor – began almost
immediately. The cutting went beside Macquarie Street, swept
past the Mitchell Library (which can be seen in the background),
between the Domain and the Botanic Gardens and down to Woolloomooloo.
(image: City of Sydney Archives, CRS 268/1074) |
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| Rock
excavation, Woolloomooloo
It was hard work building the Cahill Expressway and Eastern
Distributor. Rock excavations were still primarily done through
manual labour.
(image:
City of Sydney Archives, CRS268/1643)
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| Art
Gallery Road Bridge
Once the cutting was completed, road bridges were built over
parts of the expressway. The Art Gallery Road bridge re-linked
the Domain, the Art Gallery and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The two-storeyed Italianate house in the background was the
Director’s Residence in the Gardens (built 1874).
(image: City of Sydney Archives, CRS 268/1927) |
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The latest technology
The Cahill Expressway incorporated the latest technology
for a truly modern road. The switchboard equipment was installed
2 May 1962.
(image: City of Sydney Archives, CRS 48/2471) |
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| Finishing
touches
Concrete beams are laid before the expressway is covered
over. Taken from the viewing platform of the B.M.A. Building,
7 March 1961.
(image: City of Sydney Archives, CRS
268/1436)
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