Early work underway on New Richmond Bridge and traffic improvements for Stage 1 - The Driftway

Early work is underway on Stage 1 of the New Richmond Bridge project with investigation work and relocation of utilities along The Driftway as the first steps in delivering traffic improvements around Richmond.

As part of Stage 1 of the project, Transport for NSW is upgrading about 3.8 kilometres of The Driftway between Londonderry Road and Blacktown Road to improve safety, flood resilience and cater for future traffic growth.

The Driftway will become an important approach road to New Richmond Bridge and help redirect traffic away from the Richmond town centre.

The work began after the confirmation of a revised preferred Hawkesbury River crossing between Richmond and North Richmond late last year.

Extensive community consultation has been undertaken to secure a preferred route for the bridge upgrade, with a new structure running parallel 30-70 metres downstream of the existing bridge but at a height that will be more resilient to 1 in 20 year flood levels.

The project is part of a $500 million commitment by the Australian and NSW Governments to provide a better river crossing and improve traffic in the area.

Transport for NSW has also recently awarded a contract for consultants to prepare the concept design and environmental assessment for Stage 2.

As part of this work, site investigations for Stage 2 are now underway and Transport for NSW will continue to engage with key stakeholders.

The Stage 2 concept design and environmental assessment is expected to be on display for community feedback in mid-2024.

Further information about the project is available on the website at

Stage 1 – www.transport.nsw.gov.au/the-driftway  

Stage 2 – nswroads.work/NewRichmondBridge 

The community can contact the project team via email richmondbridge@transport.nsw.gov.au or 1800 370 778