While most drivers are familiar with local landmarks, these poles found on Sydney’s M4 Motorway have online users deciphering their purpose.
When you’re driving on familiar roads, it’s common to do a double-take when you come across a unique sign or road marking.
And though most drivers are familiar with an abundance of signs and their meanings, this set of red poles found on Sydney’s M4 Motorway has stunned some local motorists.
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Taking to the Australian Reddit thread, one user posted a photo alongside the question, “What are these poles on the M4? I have always wondered what these poles are on the M4 in Sydney. Some form of art? Anyone know?”.
The social media post invited a range of comments, with some other users also unaware of its true meaning.
“[I’ve] never seen that ever… I’m on that intersection multiple times a day,” one commenter said, while another remarked: “I actually thought these poles were for construction but never finished.”
A different Reddit user said, “[The] first time I saw it, I thought it was some sort of ventilation or something underground or some weird saplings being protected”.
Social media sleuths were quick to identify that the unique road landmarks are actually a war memorial built to commemorate the Australian Light Horse, a horse-mounted cavalry unit from the Australian Imperial Force during World War I.
According to the NSW state government, the installation is called ‘the Australian Light Horse Sculpture Parade’, and is “dedicated to the heroic troops who served in the Australian Light Horse, and their horses that could never return”.
The art piece was designed by Conybeare Morrison, a Sydney-based architectural firm, with the reflective crown sitting atop a 55-metre-high mast serving as the centrepiece of the installation, which authorities said symbolises “a torch in the dark”.
The red poles are said to be inspired by the Flanders poppy and the poppies that grew throughout Palestine. Additionally, the NSW government said these poles are “also symbolic of the blood of the supreme sacrifice made by servicemen who died during the war”.
The wiring at the top of each pole was a reference to the emu feathers found on the Light Horsemen’s slouch hats, while the white band painted just below the wires “is a reference to the departing soldiers’ innocence of war”.
Authorities chose the location of the war memorial as the site was previously used as a major training camp for the Australian Light Horse soldiers.
The camp was historically called ‘Wallgrove’ and served as a link between the M4 Motorway and the Westlink M7. According to the NSW government, “during the war, light horsemen patrolled the main water supply pipeline, which runs through the area”.
“It is because of this long association that it was decided the interchange at Eastern Creek should be called the Light Horse Interchange,” the state government said.
Despite its deep ties to Australian history, various commenters on the Reddit thread weren’t shy in expressing their opinions about the controversial art sculpture.
One user stated, “I really wish they’d come up with a design that doesn’t look like an incomplete construction project”. Another agreed and added, “Surely there could be a better, more accessible form of art for fallen soldiers than this? Also, it’s now faded”.
The post ‘Never seen that’: Bizarre poles found on Sydney highway stun social media appeared first on Drive.