Hawkesbury residents are a step closer to a long-awaited solution to one of the region's most notorious traffic bottlenecks, with the Federal and NSW Governments announcing an additional $143 million to fully fund and accelerate the New Richmond Bridge project.
The funding announcement means Stage 2 of the project will now be delivered as a single package rather than in separate stages, allowing construction of the new bridge and associated road network upgrades to begin later this year.
The Australian Government will contribute an additional $114 million, while the NSW Government will provide a further $29 million, bringing total government investment in the project to $658 million.
The announcement has been welcomed as a major milestone for the Hawkesbury, where traffic congestion on the existing Richmond Bridge has long frustrated commuters, businesses and emergency planners.
The current bridge, which carries approximately 31,000 vehicles each day, is one of the busiest river crossings in Western Sydney and serves as a critical evacuation route during flood emergencies. Despite its importance, the crossing currently consists of a single lane in each direction, creating daily congestion and lengthy delays.
Under the expanded project, Stage 2 will deliver:
- A new four-lane bridge across the Hawkesbury River.
- Road widening through North Richmond.
- Major intersection upgrades.
- A bypass south of Richmond town centre.
- Improved pedestrian and cycling connections.
Perhaps most significantly for flood-prone communities, the new bridge will sit approximately 10 metres higher than the existing crossing, improving resilience during major flood events and maintaining connectivity for longer periods when the Hawkesbury River rises.
Once the new bridge opens, the existing Richmond Bridge will take on a new role as a dedicated pedestrian and cycling crossing, creating a safer and more family-friendly link between Richmond and North Richmond while preserving one of the district's most recognisable landmarks.
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman, who has advocated for the project for more than a decade, said the additional funding would allow the full vision for the project to be delivered sooner.
"This project is incredibly important for local families and businesses who rely on this crossing every single day," she said.
Ms Templeman noted that a bridge at the planned height would have remained operational during every major flood event experienced since 2020.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the additional investment reflected the significance of the project to the Hawkesbury community.
"The Australian Government knows how important this infrastructure is for the Hawkesbury community, which is why we have allocated an additional $114.4 million to get this critical project delivered in one go," she said.
NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said local residents had waited long enough for action.
"For too long, Hawkesbury families have sat in traffic, dealt with flood disruptions and have been told to keep waiting," she said.
NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the project would improve traffic flow, road safety and community resilience during future flood events.
Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston also welcomed the announcement, while acknowledging the years of planning, consultation and funding commitments made by previous State and Federal Liberal-National governments that helped bring the project to this point.
"The New Richmond Bridge is one of Hawkesbury's most important infrastructure priorities and I welcome the funding commitment that will see this project delivered sooner for local families, businesses and commuters," Ms Preston said.
Ms Preston thanked the Federal and State Governments for providing the extra money needed to complete the project.
"For decades, residents have experienced daily congestion and uncertainty during flood events. A new four-lane bridge will improve travel time, strengthen emergency evacuation capacity and support the future growth of our region."
Construction giant Fulton Hogan has been awarded the contract to finalise the design and deliver Stage 2.
Meanwhile, work continues on Stage 1 of the broader project, including upgrades to intersections along The Driftway, with those works expected to be completed in 2027.
For many Hawkesbury residents, however, the latest funding announcement represents the most significant progress yet on a project that has been discussed, debated and promised for decades.
If construction begins as scheduled later this year, the region may finally see the start of a bridge capable of supporting the Hawkesbury's rapidly growing population while providing a more reliable crossing during future flood emergencies.
Timeline of a Long-Awaited Project
The New Richmond Bridge has been the subject of planning, consultation and advocacy for many years, with successive governments contributing funding and progressing design work. The latest announcement secures the final funding required to deliver the project as a single package, removing uncertainty around future stages and bringing construction significantly closer.
For a community that has endured daily congestion and repeated flood-related disruptions, the announcement marks one of the most significant infrastructure commitments ever made in the Hawkesbury.
