From the community update released by Transport for NSW on Friday 27th June 2025

The new reduced load limit of 23 tonnes is now in effect. 

Transport for NSW acknowledges this load limit reduction from 42.5 tonnes has significant impacts on those who take heavy loads across the structure.   

Regular inspections and maintenance on the bridge will continue. Over the next few months, some parts of the bridge that have been damaged will be repaired or replaced. The community will be informed in advance of any work. While the community may notice small changes on the bridge, this work will not affect the bridge’s character or its heritage value.  

Transport is also looking at temporary options to enable the crossing to return to a 42.5 tonne load limit as soon as possible. These temporary options may involve strengthening the existing bridge, installing a temporary crossing next to the existing bridge or developing a detour that crosses the river at a different location. These options are being assessed, and a preferred option will be confirmed within three months, although initial assessments indicate temporary strengthening of the existing bridge is unlikely to be possible. If one of these temporary options is found to be viable, it may provide a river crossing with a 42.5 tonne load limit while work continues to develop a longer-term solution. This will take between nine months to two years to complete, depending on the preferred option. 

Concurrently, options to upgrade the existing bridge to a 42.5 tonne load limit are also being developed. This will require upgrades and strengthening to the existing bridge, pending heritage and engineering approvals. We will also explore and evaluate options for a new crossing against upgrades to the existing bridge. This work is complex, and it is expected these investigations could take up to 12 months. 

T4NSW understands this load limit reduction has impacted the community. We genuinely appreciate your patience and understanding as we work towards finding a solution that will serve the community safely and efficiently into the future.

COMPENSATION

Is compensation available for affected community members? What assistance will be provided?

The Hampden Bridge load reduction does not trigger an automatic right to compensation for road users. Transport does not consider that reducing the load limit on Hampden Bridge gives rise to an actionable claim.

Should a member of the public, upon consideration of the above, believe they have incurred an actionable loss, they should write to the Transport for NSW Liability Claims & Recoveries team setting out the basis of their claim and providing supporting evidence that demonstrates the losses that are being claimed.