A new two-lane bridge across the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond is a giant step closer to reality, following a $250 million joint funding package announced today by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
It brings the total joint commitment to $500 million for the project.
The preferred route will involve a bypass of North Richmond, connecting to a new two-lane bridge north of the existing bridge.
A new roadway will bypass Richmond to the south, connecting from Old Kurrajong Road to the Driftway.
Today's funding announcement includes $200 million from the Federal Government and $50 million from the coming 2021-22 NSW Budget.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was at North Richmond this morning with Ms Berejiklian and other state and federal politicians, said the Commonwealth's $400 million commitment to the project would help improve road safety and reduce travel times in the area, while supporting future growth of the region.
"This major investment demonstrates our commitment to the Western Sydney economy, its residents, workers and businesses by busting congestion, improving safety and creating jobs," Mr Morrison said.
"This critical infrastructure will alleviate the long-term bottleneck between Richmond and North Richmond created from the existing Richmond Bridge operating at capacity during peak hour, helping make the commute to and from work significantly easier."
Ms Berejiklian said that the government's had a strong record of working together to deliver crucial road infrastructure.
"The NSW Government is continuing to invest in major road infrastructure projects because we know improving our road network makes a real difference to people's lives, while also providing much needed local jobs," she said.
"The new bridge is proposed to be built 500 metres downstream from the current Richmond Bridge, which currently funnels more than 31,000 vehicles each day directly through the already busy Richmond and North Richmond town centres."
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said that the preferred option included upgrades to six intersections and existing roads and building new road sections.
"The new bridge will provide a new connection for road users between Bells Line of Road and the main road network, while the existing Richmond Bridge will continue to provide a vital link between Richmond and North Richmond," he said.
"Recent intersection upgrades at Kurrajong and Old Kurrajong roads and Grose Vale and Bells Line of Road are already improving traffic in the area, alongside current works at the intersection of March and Bosworth streets."
"This is about return the villagers to the villages ... this is an 11km bypass. It's one that will have a third river crossing of around a 250m bridge, six intersection upgrades and also improvements to the existing road networks.
"In total there is going to be 21 [homes and businesses affected]. We have a combination of partial acquisitions and full acquisitions."
Hawkesbury MP Robyn Preston said that this is a serious day for the Hawkesbury and that she is very excited by the investment.
"We need to hear what [residents] concerns are and there will be people who are going to be directly impacted by this," she said.
"We are really conscious of people who are in shock at the moment and I think we need to take some time to sit down with them and try and work through their problems and see what we can do to find some middle ground here.
"The intention of this is too bring the community along with us, the majority of the community. When you make a leadership decision you're always going to have people who are objection to that, but it's about bringing the village environment back to Richmond and North Richmond."
The news was also warmly met by Hawkesbury Councillor Sarah Richards, who has served as a long-time supporter of the project.
Cr Richards said that as a resident she is very invested in this project and thankful that both governments came together to deliver funding to the local community.
"I have been told that it is the biggest investment the Hawkesbury has ever had in terms of infrastructure," she said. "That is an absolutely overwhelming commitment to our local area ... to know that the money is there to build not just a third crossing but an entire road network that will extend all the way from North Richmond to South Windsor.
"What I am going to do and commit too is turning up to the two consultation sessions that are scheduled for the North Richmond Community Centre, I am going to listen to all of [the residents] concerns and take that back to the various ministers.
"I understand there were people there today and I know that Minister Constance and Robyn Preston went straight to talk to those individuals and families about those concerns. So, they have an absolute guarantee that they won't be left out in the dark and that they will be listened too and supported in the process.
"As a resident of North RIchmond myself, I am stuck in the traffic jams the same as everyone else and I am not someone from a distance calling for infrastructure, I am someone that feels it every day. Our community will be getting a much better deal once this infrastructure is constructed."
Face-to-face community information sessions will be held on Wednesday, June 16 from 5pm to 7pm and on Saturday, June 19 from 10am to noon at North Richmond Community Centre.
An online information session all be held on Monday, June 28, from 4pm to 5pm on the NSW Roads Facebook page at facekbook.com/NSWRoads.
Community consultation closes on Monday, July 5, will all feedback to be considered by Transport for NSW.
For more information visit nswroads.work/richmond-bridge.