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Restoration work on the Hawkesbury’ s historic 1830s-era Thomas James Bridge at Lower Macdonald is now complete, marking the end of a two-year project to preserve the convict-built structure and strengthen a vital link between Wisemans Ferry and the Macdonald Valley.

Located on the Traditional Ngurra( Country) of the Dharug and Darkinjung Peoples, the bridge is the oldest still in use on the Australian mainland. It suffered major damage during the 2022 floods, including the near-collapse of the eight-metre sandstone retaining walls supporting the abutments.

The extensive restoration required a customised engineering approach developed closely with heritage specialists. Works included excavating the site to bedrock to install new steel and concrete footings and resilient drainage. The original handcut sandstone retaining wall— built by convict labour— was carefully dismantled, with every block numbered and recorded before being reinstated. The timber bridge deck was also rebuilt to maintain the site’ s historic appearance.

Hawkesbury City Mayor Les Sheather said the project was a significant milestone.

“ This is the Australian mainland’ s oldest in-use land bridge. A restoration

of this nature on a bridge this old has not been attempted or achieved in Australia before,” he said.

“ Behind the original sandstone wall lies a robust modern foundation that means we won’ t see a repeat of the damage that threatened to cut off communities north of the bridge in 2022.”

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, praised the project.“ This has been an extraordinary engineering achievement to restore and preserve the oldest in-use road bridge on the Australian mainland. I commend the contractors for working closely with the community and thank residents for their patience throughout the years of work.”

NSW Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison, said the restoration showed the value of cooperation.

“ Rebuilding the Thomas James Bridge has been a careful, complex and deeply collaborative effort, and the result is something the whole region can be proud of.”

NSW Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin, added:

“ This project shows what’ s possible when all levels of government work together. This bridge gives communities confidence that they can reach safety during a disaster and that emergency services can reach them.”

Hawkesbury City Council managed the $ 23.5 million project with Federal and State Government recovery funding. The bridge adjoins the World Heritage-listed Old Great North Road, historically significant as the first road built north of the Hawkesbury River. New signage has been installed to highlight the site’ s heritage.

Additionally, a 250-metre rock slip between the bridge and Wisemans Ferry was cleared and stabilised in partnership with Central Coast Council, ensuring continued safe access for the valley.