Thomas James Bridge, Wisemans Ferry - Bridge Restoration
- Estimated Finish November 2025
- Project Status Completed
- Project Funding $23,500,000 jointly funded by the Federal and NSW Governments
Work on the Hawkesbury’s historic 1830’s era Thomas James Bridge on Settlers Road at Lower Macdonald is now complete – following a two-year journey to not only restore the convict-built bridge but also provide a resilient connection between Wisemans Ferry and the Macdonald Valley. The bridge is located on the Traditional Ngurra (Country) of the Dharug and Darkinjung Peoples, surrounded by the Hawkesbury River to the south, the Macdonald River to the west and Dharug National Park to the north and east, is the oldest still in use on the Australian mainland. It was damaged significantly during the floods in 2022, including the near total collapse of the eight-metre tall sandstone retaining walls supporting the bridge’s abutments.
Scope of Works
The extensive restoration required a tailor-made engineering solution designed in close consultation with heritage experts, including the excavation of the site down to the bedrock to install new steel and concrete footings and drainage that will be resilient in the face of future flooding and rain events.
Map
Hawkesbury Buzz Fortnightly E-newsletter
Page ID: 315787
