Plans for the long-awaited New Richmond Bridge have been unveiled, but a funding shortfall means parts of the project will be delayed until additional funds are secured.

Transport for NSW confirmed that the $500 million allocated by federal and state governments will only cover the first stage of the project, known as Stage 2A. The second stage, Stage 2B, will remain on hold until more funds are sourced.

“The proposal would be delivered in two stages, known as Stage 2A and Stage 2B,” a Transport for NSW report stated. “Should this REF be determined, and the already committed funding by the Australian Government and NSW Government released, Stage 2A would be constructed. This is expected to be complete by 2029. The timing of Stage 2B would be subject to available funding, and Transport will continue to seek funding in upcoming State and Federal budgets to deliver the rest of the upgrades.”

Stage 2A, which is funded, features a new four-lane bridge over the Hawkesbury River, approximately 30 metres downstream of the existing bridge. The bridge will be built 10 metres higher than the current structure, designed to remain open during a 20-year flood event. The stage also includes:

• Widening of Bells Line of Road through North Richmond to create two lanes in each direction.
• A 1.7-kilometre bypass south of Richmond town centre, spanning the floodplain between Kurrajong Road and Castlereagh Road.
• A new shared path on the southern side of Kurrajong Road for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Conversion of the existing Richmond Bridge into an active transport route.

Stage 2B, currently unfunded, will impact North Richmond and includes further widening of Bells Line of Road west of Charles Street and at Crooked Lane. Additionally parts of the project east of the river will also be impacted - a 1.3-kilometre bypass extension from Castlereagh Road to Londonderry Road, and upgrades to the Londonderry Road/Vines Drive intersection.

The project’s Review of Environmental Factors (REF), the important hydrology report and designs are now on display, with Transport for NSW inviting community feedback until February 21, 2025. Construction of Stage 2A is set to begin in 2026. The Hawkesbury Post will provide additional coverage of the report over the next few weeks.

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, encouraged residents to engage with the consultation process.

“The release of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is the next stage of the journey which first started with the announcement I made with Anthony Albanese in 2010 for the first federal funding to tackle Richmond Bridge congestion and look into the options for a new bridge,” Ms Templeman said.

“It’s great that people can now look at the proposed design for a new bridge and bypass of Richmond and provide their feedback. It’s important that the proposed four-lane bridge provides greater flood resilience than the current one and would remain open if flood events we have experienced since 2020 were repeated.

“I urge all residents to take the time to read the REF, ask questions of the project team, and prepare their feedback by February 21, 2025.”

For more information, residents can visit the Transport for NSW website to review the REF and view project designs. Community information sessions will be held in early February 2025.

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