Major road projects

Update - 14 February 2025

The following works are being carried out this week at the Thomas James Bridge Restoration Project:

• Steel fixers are on site and commencing work on the Eastern transfer beam
• Stripping of formwork from the St. Albans Wall, Corbel, is now completed
• Preparation for backfilling on the St Albans side of the bridge, which is due to commence from next week
• Reinforcement works for the retaining wall
• Erection of second lift of scaffolding along the Wisemans Ferry retaining wall

These works will continue to take place between the hours of 6:30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and from 6:30am to 2pm on Saturdays. Please expect continuous truck movements during these hours.

Please continue to adhere to the traffic conditions on the temporary access road:
- 42 tonne weight limit
- 20km/h speed limit
- Maximum vehicle length 12.5m
- articulated trucks are not permitted

Please also be advised that due to the unforeseen and unknown challenges with this complex project, and with safety of residents and workers paramount, we anticipate shorter, unplanned closures at less notice. Road closures will only occur in the event a section of the road becomes unsafe for passing traffic and is deemed necessary for keeping the community and site workers safe. In the event of heavy rainfall, our strict road closure protocols will continue to be followed.

Please do not hesitate to contact Emily Mallon at Delaney Civil if you wish to further discuss any of the above, or have any additional questions, on 0484 267 907 or on email community@delaneycivil.com.au.

Update - 14 February 2025

Site establishment is complete with excavation works for the installation of 250 stormwater culvert units due to commence 17 February 2025.

Once the stormwater culverts and backfill have been completed, the permanent Bakers Lagoon flood mitigation outlet into the Hawkesbury River will be restored, enabling work to start on the reconstruction of approximately 250m of Cornwallis Road to its original state.

It is anticipated works will take 30 weeks, with targeted completion in September 2025, weather permitting.

This project is fully funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and Council has engaged NSW Public Works as our project delivery partner.

Background

The initial damage at Cornwallis was caused by the March 2021 flood in the Hawkesbury River, with the 1970’s drainage system failing as a result of that event. Subsequent flooding in 2022 caused further erosion and the breaching of the riverbank, resulting in a small bay forming. A 180-metre section of Cornwallis Road was also lost.

While private landowners have undertaken earthworks to restore sections of their land washed away, Council has been working with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW Public Works and the EPA to design a resilient and effective drain repair and road restoration.