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The construction of a new bridge at North Richmond part of a half-billion-dollar project led by Transport for NSW is being hailed as a vital step toward easing congestion and improving flood resilience across the Hawkesbury.
For many, the new bridge represents long-overdue progress. The existing North Richmond crossing carries around 31,000 vehicles a day far beyond its intended capacity leading to notorious bottlenecks and delays particularly during afternoon peak hour.
Yet, among residents who live west of the river, the mood is a mix of optimism and unease as work begins to reshape one of the region’s most important transport corridors.
The project, officially known as the New Richmond Bridge and Traffic Improvements, aims to deliver a higher, four-lane bridge over the Hawkesbury River, alongside major road upgrades linking Richmond and North Richmond. The new structure will sit about 10 metres higher than the existing bridge, providing a more reliable crossing during floods a recurring challenge that has isolated communities and disrupted supply chains in recent years.
“This project is about keeping the Hawkesbury connected, even when the river rises,” Transport for NSW said in a recent community update.
A Two-Stage Build
The project has been divided into two stages.
Stage 1, now under way, focuses on upgrading key intersections along The Driftway between Blacktown Road and Londonderry Road. BMD Constructions has been awarded the contract, with major work including a new bridge over Rickabys Creek expected to run through 2026.
This stage is designed to strengthen the flood-evacuation route southward, although residents have already been warned to expect months of traffic disruption and detours.
Stage 2, still awaiting final environmental approvals and funding, will deliver the new Hawkesbury River crossing itself, along with a bypass around North Richmond and widened sections of Bells Line of Road. Pedestrian and cycling links are also included in the design.
Local Voices and Economic Hopes
Local businesses say the upgrades could open new opportunities if managed carefully. Yet there’s also worry about noise, heavy-vehicle movement, and how construction may alter the rhythm of life in the Hawkesbury’s historic river towns.
“We’ve been promised relief before,” said Michael Jabour of North Richmond “We just hope this time it comes without losing what we love about this place.”
What Comes Next
Transport for NSW says construction of the new bridge could begin in late 2026, subject to funding, with completion expected by 2029. The agency will release a Submissions Report later this year summarising community feedback from the public exhibition period.
For now, the diggers and cranes on The Driftway mark the first visible sign of what’s being called the most significant infrastructure project in the Hawkesbury in decades.
Whether it delivers the smoother, safer future residents hope remains to be seen.
At a Glance – New Richmond Bridge Project
- Cost: ~$515 million (joint NSW & Australian Government funding)
- Bridge Height: ~10 metres higher than existing structure
- Traffic: ~31,000 vehicles/day currently
- Stage 1: Driftway intersection upgrades – Under construction (2025–26)
- Stage 2: New bridge & North Richmond bypass – Planned (2026–29 subject to approval)
- Key goal: Reduce congestion, improve flood evacuation, strengthen regional connectivity
