Luke Bowen Bridge: Explaining traffic disruptions

The challenge

As part of the construction of the Coffs Harbour Bypass, the project required several closures of the Pacific Highway to facilitate the installation of the Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge. The project team needed to communicate complex detour arrangements for different vehicle types and ensure information was accessible to a diverse audience, including local residents, businesses and freight operators.

Traditional traffic notices and maps were unlikely to capture the scale of the operation or clearly explain how road users would be affected. The team needed a more engaging and intuitive way to prepare the community for the closures and minimise disruption.

Our solution

We developed a visually engaging explainer video that combined 3D animation, clear storytelling and project-specific messaging to communicate the bridge installation and associated traffic changes.

Working closely with the project team, we first developed a communication approach tailored to the project’s objectives, audiences and tone. We then used detailed 3D animation to bring the bridge lift and detour routes to life, transforming complex information into an accessible and easy-to-understand visual experience.

A concise narrative guided viewers through the sequence of events, helping road users understand what was happening, when closures would occur, and how to navigate alternative routes.

The outcome

The result was a high-impact communication tool that helped the community, businesses and freight operators prepare for the highway closures with confidence. By presenting complex traffic arrangements in a clear and engaging format, the animation improved understanding, supported behaviour change, and helped minimise disruption during a critical stage of construction.