Transport for NSW has unveiled the next major step in the long-awaited New Richmond Bridge and Traffic Improvements project, releasing the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for Stage 2. This allows the community an in-depth look at the detailed plans and assessments for the project, which aims to address congestion, enhance flood resilience. It also includes plans to provide pedestrian connectivity between Richmond and North Richmond.

The REF contains 13 comprehensive reports, covering areas such as noise and traffic assessment, hydrology, biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, and socio-economic impacts. Each report includes an executive summary, making it easier for residents to pinpoint areas of personal interest. Transport for NSW is inviting public feedback on the reports until 21 February 2025.

The $500 million infrastructure project announced amidst much fanfare in 2021 by the then Federal Liberal Government will now only partly be built. The real costs of the project means that the focus will be on building the bridge with associated roads having to wait until more funds are found.

The first stage of the project, Stage 2A, is fully funded and includes the construction of a new four-lane bridge over the Hawkesbury River. Planned to be 10 metres higher than the current 8.4 metre bridge, the new structure is designed to remain operational during a 20-year flood event. The bridge will run about 30 metres downstream from the existing bridge, which will be repurposed as an “active transport route” for pedestrians and cyclists, according to TfNSW.

Stage 2A also includes a 1.7-kilometre bypass south of Richmond town centre, designed to ease congestion in the area. Bells Line of Road and Kurrajong Road will be widened to create two lanes in each direction, while there will be new footpaths and shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

While Stage 2A is expected to begin construction in 2026 and be completed by 2029, the second phase, Stage 2B, remains unfunded, prompting concerns about extra traffic being duped onto existing roads. Stage 2B would include further widening of Bells Line of Road west of Charles Street and at Crooked Lane, as well as a 1.3-kilometre extension of the bypass from Castlereagh Road to Londonderry Road. Transport for NSW confirmed it will continue seeking funding from state and federal budgets to deliver this stage of the project.

Climate change poses a significant challenge to the long-term viability of the project and poses a “medium risk”, with flood modelling indicating increased rainfall intensity will heighten flood levels over time. Under one scenario projected for 2090, rainfall intensity is expected to rise by 9.5%, resulting in a 150mm increase in flood levels at the bridge and up to 800mm across the floodplain during a 5% AEP event. Another scenario predicts even greater impacts, with flood levels rising by 400mm at the bridge and 1.9m across the floodplain. The report states that these changes will lead to overtopping of the bypass road in multiple locations, with depths of up to 1.2m, and increase water levels on nearby properties, including Southee Road and Western Sydney University land.

Despite these projections, climate change has not been integrated into the current design. Instead, the analysis is limited to sensitivity assessments, leaving the road elevation levels vulnerable. The report states that unless changes are made to road levels the increased flood depths and velocities across the floodplain threaten to reduce the bypass’s flood resilience, undermining its intended purpose and exposing the project to a medium level of risk.

For many residents, the new bridge offers hope of relief from daily traffic woes, but the report reveals traffic numbers were modelled on questionable housing projections for the region leading to questions about real time savings for commuters. Concerns also remain over whether the full bypass will ever come to fruition. Without Stage 2B, critics argue that the benefits of the project will be limited, leaving key bottlenecks unresolved. Transport for NSW has assured the community that it remains committed to securing the necessary funding to complete the entire vision.

For now, the community is urged to examine the REF and have their say. Feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the project and addressing residents’ concerns. The Hawkesbury Post will provide ongoing coverage, helping residents navigate the reports and their implications.

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, highlighted the importance of community involvement. “The release of the Review of Environmental Factors is a crucial step in this journey. This project began with federal funding announced in 2010 to address Richmond Bridge congestion, and now residents can see the proposed design for a new bridge and bypass. It’s vital for the community to provide feedback to ensure the bridge meets our needs for flood resilience and future growth,” she said.

The REF also outlines measures to address environmental concerns, such as minimising impacts on biodiversity, protecting local waterways, and mitigating noise pollution. Transport for NSW has proposed a range of strategies, including the use of sensitive construction techniques and advanced hydrological modelling to ensure the new infrastructure will not exacerbate flooding elsewhere in the catchment.

The socio-economic impacts of the project are another focus of the REF, with assessments highlighting both short-term disruptions and long-term benefits. Some of the routes rural outlook will become more urban while sites including Hobartville and Colo Soccer Club will feel more significant impacts. During construction, local businesses and residents near the worksites are likely to experience increased noise, dust, and traffic delays. 

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