Preferred option revealed for $500m New Richmond Bridge project in NSW

The preferred option for a new bridge over the Hawkesbury River between Richmond and North Richmond has been identified and the Australian and New South Wales Governments are funding the delivery of the New Richmond Bridge along with other traffic improvements. 

“The bridge between Richmond and North Richmond provides a vital crossing of the Hawkesbury River and currently carries an average of 31,000 vehicles per day. 

“A new bridge will double traffic capacity across the Hawkesbury River, reduce travel times and cater for future growth in this historic and growing part of Western Sydney,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

Feedback from the community has resulted in choosing an option that will have a one-in-20-year flood resilience level as well as having the new bridge built next to the existing bridge. 

The preferred option will also allow for less property acquisition, have reduced noise and visual impacts, and will greatly improve flood resilience of the bridge. 

In addition, this option will support business in the North Richmond town centre as it maintains passing trade. 

Heritage-listed properties will be saved with the preferred option as it will have no direct impact to the properties, and the option will also reduce impacts on endangered ecological communities. 

“The bridge will be built next to the current bridge as a result of strong community support noting the look, impact on surrounding properties and flood risk. 

“We want to give the community the assurance that if the two flood events this year were to occur again, they would not be cut off from services they need. 

“We also estimated the new two-lane bridge and approached will save motorists up to 12 minutes travel time through this area,” NSW Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said. 

Project map (source: Transport for NSW)

Key features of the preferred option will now include: 

• Capacity improvements to the intersection of Bells Line of Road / Grose Vale Road / Terrace Road including an additional eastbound lane on Bells Line of Road and a separated left turn lane from Terrace Road to Bells Line of Road 
• Relocation of on-street parking spaces from Bells Line of Road to Beaumont Avenue 
• A new two-lane bridge 30-70 metres downstream of the existing bridge for eastbound traffic with a shared path. The new bridge would have a 1 in 20 chance per year flood resilience. The shared path would connect the Richmond and North Richmond town centres 
• The existing Richmond Bridge would be converted to two lanes for westbound traffic only 
• During flood events when the existing Richmond Bridge is closed, the new bridge would be converted to two-way traffic 
• A new signalised intersection at the intersection of Kurrajong Road / Old Kurrajong Road and the bypass 
• A bypass of the Richmond town centre connecting from Kurrajong Road to Inalls Lane with 1 in 20 chance per year flood resilience. The bypass includes two floodplain bridges and a series of culverts to allow water to flow during flood events 
• A roundabout to replace the priority intersection of Castlereagh Road / Southee Road / Inalls Lane 
• A new road parallel to Southee Road 
• Traffic signals to replace the priority intersections of Londonderry Road with Southee Road and Vines Drive 
• A roundabout to replace the priority intersection of Londonderry Road / The Driftway 
• Pavement and drainage improvements to THe Driftway 
• Realignment of the eastern end of The Driftway to create a four-leg roundabout to replace the priority intersections of Blacktown Road with The Driftway and Racecource Road 

“As part of this project we’ll also see upgrades to traffic lights, four intersections and two existing roads which includes an additional eastbound lane on Bells Line of Road. 

“I’m also excited about the walking and cycling connections which will follow, giving locals the chance to move about their community in a low cost way,” State Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston said. 

Project delivery is divided into two stages with Stage 1 to include upgrading The Driftway between Londonderry and Blacktown roads while the remainder of the project scope will be delivered in the second stage. 

The $500 million New Richmond Bridge and Traffic Improvements project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments on an 80:20 basis. 

“The joint Commonwealth and State investment allows us to build a bridge which will double traffic capacity and alleviate the bottleneck between Richmond and North Richmond. 

“I look forward to supporting the community to ensure that the detail of the design delivers the best possible result, while minimising the impact that it will have on some residents,” Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Transport for NSW