New Bridge And Bypass For Richmond and North Richmond

It has been a long time coming, but a new bridge and bypass for Richmond was announced on Monday, June 7. Political dignitaries, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Gladys Berejiklian, visited Richmond on Monday to unveil the new preferred route, and additional funding for the project that began 11 years ago.

Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said the announcement for additional funding to increase flood resilience with a new bridge at North Richmond was a win for the community.

“The feedback I provided to government based on a survey of thousands of people was that residents wanted three things - a traffic solution, a flood-resilient option and a bypass of both North Richmond and historic Richmond,” Ms Templeman said.

“It’s good to see that after a one in 50 flood event, the Federal Government has now shifted into gear and acknowledged what locals know - that the bridge needs to be higher and bypass our town centres so we didn’t simply create another traffic bottleneck.”

“I was always concerned it was going to be a budget bridge because of the small amount of funding involved. This is a more reasonable amount for the road approaches and higher bridge that are required by the community.”

“I know how much the community needs a flood resilient bridge at North Richmond and, as I have been since 2010, I will continue to push for it to be done as fast as possible.”

An initial $2 million was invested 11 years ago by then Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese, but a budget bridge would solve nothing. The additional funding, which includes $200 million from the Commonwealth and $50 million in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget, is vital to the completion of the project. That is a joint commitment of $500 million.

Ms Templeman said there were still big questions that required answers, particularly regarding what the development would mean for people affected by the new roads on the Richmond side of the bridge and for people whose land was to be acquired.

“NSW Transport and Roads Minister, Andrew Constance, has said there are 21 partial or full property acquisitions involved in this process, and I know residents will be extremely anxious about what that involves and how they will be treated,” Ms Templeman said.

“If the government fails to purchase the land it believes it needs, that’s an impediment to the project. Land owners should get good legal advice about what’s put to them.”

Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston has invited the community to have a say on how construction on the new bridge and bypass progresses from here.

“We want the local community to have their say on the preferred option for a new Richmond Bridge and associated traffic upgrades, which are designed to keep vehicles moving in what has been a heavily congested area of the road network,” Ms Preston said.

“The new bridge will provide a new connection for road users between Bells Line of Road and the main road network and the existing Richmond Bridge will remain in its current form, continuing to provide a link between Richmond and North Richmond.”

The project involves upgrading six intersections and two existing roads, as well as provision for active transport to encourage bike use and exercise. Face-to-face community information sessions will be held Wednesday, June 16 from 5pm to 7pm and Saturday, June 19 from 10am to 12noon at the North Richmond Community Centre.

An online information session will also be held Monday, June 28 from 4pm to 5pm on the NSW Roads Facebook page at facebook.com/NSWRoads. All feedback will be considered and will help Transport for NSW develop the environmental assessment for the upgrade.

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