New Richmond Bridge and traffic improvements - Stage 2

Over the next few months, Transport for NSW will be carrying out investigation work in the Richmond and North Richmond areas to inform design of Stage 2 of the New Richmond Bridge and traffic improvements project. 

The investigations will include collecting traffic data such as intersection counts, queue length, travel time and origin destination surveys. The data will be collected using cameras and tube counters throughout the work area highlighted in the map below. Additional cameras will also collect data at the intersections of The Driftway with Londonderry Road and Blacktown Road as well as Blacktown Road and Racecourse Road. 

We will also be conducting ground surveys and geotechnical work which includes drilling holes and digging pits to test soil and pavement composition. We will be using small tipper trucks, a truck mounted drilling rig, small excavators, survey vehicles, handheld concrete saw cutter, traffic control vehicles and signage to carry out this work.

View notification here (PDF, 409.86 KB)

Following the close of consultation in September 2021 we have been analysing all community submissions. The key feedback on the displayed preferred option showed us that the community's major concerns related to amenity and property impacts, flood resilience, business and economic impacts, and traffic.

The Hybrid option was recommended as the revised preferred option as it:

• delivers similar traffic benefits to other options
• delivers 1 in 20 chance per year flood resilience
• reduces property impacts including acquisition, noise and visual
• supports businesses in North Richmond town centre by maintaining passing trade
• can be delivered within the available funding

View the community update (PDF, 76.4 Mb) and the revised preferred option report  (PDF, 4.15 MB)containing the consultation report with consolidated feedback and responses for further information. Design plans can be found under the preferred option tab below.

The bridge between Richmond and North Richmond provides a vital crossing of the Hawkesbury River, and carries an average of 31,000 vehicles per day with a single lane in each direction.

In 2013, Transport for NSW prepared the Richmond Bridge and approaches congestion study: Preferred short-term and long-term options report. The study identified the need for additional bridge capacity and three intersection upgrades to improve travel times and journey time reliability and provide for future growth. So far we have:

• upgraded the intersection of Kurrajong Road and Old Kurrajong Road
• upgraded the intersection of Bells Line of Road and Grose Vale Road
• made significant progress on the upgrade of the intersection of March Street and Bosworth Street.

What are we trying to achieve?

The key objective of this project is to reduce congestion between Richmond and North Richmond and build for future growth. We also aim to improve:

• journey time reliability
• connectivity between Bells Line of Road and the main road network
• flood resilience
• amenity and support economic development in the town centres of Richmond and North Richmond
• safety along the road corridor between Richmond and North Richmond
• public and active transport connections.

The project has been divided into two stages to deliver early safety benefits to the community. Stage 1 includes upgrades to The Driftway between Londonderry and Blacktown Road. The remainder of the project will be delivered in Stage 2.

We are progressing with the detailed design for Stage 1 and will award the contract to start early work including utility relocations in late 2022 in preparation for construction.

We will prepare the concept design and environmental assessment for Stage 2 which will be displayed for feedback.

• New Richmond Bridge and traffic improvements Stage 2 - FAQ's
• Richmond Bridge Duplication FAQs

• December 2022 community update

  New Richmond Bridge and traffic improvements Stage 2 community update.

• November 2021 community update
  New Richmond Bridge and traffic improvements Preferred option consultation update.

• August 2021 information sheet
  New Richmond Bridge and traffic improvements.

• June 2021 community update
  Preferred option for an additional bridge over the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond.

• November 2019 community update
  Richmond Bridge duplication and traffic improvements route investigation.

• February 2023 project notification (PDF, 409.86 KB) 
  Investigation work in Richmond and North Richmond.

• January 2021 project notification
  Day and night investigation work on Londonderry Road, Richmond from 1 February.

• March 2019 project notification
  Richmond Bridge duplication and traffic improvements investigations continuing.

• December 2018 project notification
  Richmond Bridge duplication and traffic improvements investigations underway.

• Revised Preferred Option map 2022
• Revised Preferred Option Report 2022 (PDF, 4.15 MB)
• Preferred Option report - June 2021