Major road projects

Update - 5 June 2025

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

• Deck Pour and wet curing
• Removal of formwork
• Installation of heritage stones
• Preparation for the pouring of the culverts scheduled for next week

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 - 5 June 2025

With the foundation preparations almost complete, the contactor anticipates that they will commence the concrete slab construction on 10 June. To facilitate this, they expect long working days when they are pouring the concrete, being 4:30am-8pm. The 140m of concrete slab (approx. 900cu.m) should take three weeks to complete – with the concrete pour days spread out within this three week window, where we expect a maximum of four concrete pours.

Local residents in Cornwallis and those in Freemans Reach (opposite side of the river) may expect to hear increased construction related noise on these days.

We appreciate the Hawkesbury communities understanding during the concrete pour days and look forward to successfully delivering this milestone in the project.

Project progress:

• Continue dewatering and excavation of Culvert foundation to cobble layer
• Continue installation of 1-2m sandstone foundation improvement
• Placement of 300 - 500mm sandstone boulders

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.