Home / Environment / Australia's Oldest Bridge Reborn After Flood Fury
Australia's Oldest Bridge Reborn After Flood Fury
5 Sep
Summary
- The Thomas James Bridge, built in 1830 with convict labour, is Australia's oldest vehicle bridge.
- Severe floods in 2022 damaged its rare sandstone abutments and retaining walls.
- A two-year reconstruction, completed in November 2025, restored the bridge using original stones.
Built in 1830 by convicts, the Thomas James Bridge, also known as Settlers Road Bridge, is mainland Australia's oldest continuously used vehicle bridge. Located near Lower Macdonald in New South Wales, its original timber deck is supported by massive hand-cut sandstone abutments. Severe floods in 2022 caused critical damage, including the near-total collapse of retaining walls supporting its abutments.
The bridge underwent a two-year reconstruction, concluding in November 2025, at a cost of $23.5 million. Engineers excavated down to bedrock, installing new steel and concrete foundations and drainage systems to enhance resilience against future flooding. This involved carefully dismantling, numbering, and repositioning the original sandstone blocks, preserving the bridge's historic appearance and character.
The restoration was managed by Hawkesbury City Council with funding from Federal and State infrastructure programs. This meticulous blend of modern engineering and historic fabric earned the project the Judges' Excellence Award in Heritage at the 2026 IPWEA NSW & ACT Engineering Awards, maintaining a vital connection for the Macdonald Valley community.
