Thornton Bridge demolition to begin as major duplication project moves ahead

newy.com.au – Demolition of the original rail bridge beneath the existing Thornton Road Bridge will begin tomorrow as the long-awaited duplication project enters its next major phase.

The work is scheduled to start on Saturday, 16 May 2026, during a planned 72-hour rail possession on the Main North railway line. Transport for NSW has contacted nearby residents and businesses about the weekend demolition program.

Thornton Road is a key crossing over the rail line, connecting local communities with the M1 Pacific Motorway, Pacific Highway and Hunter Expressway. It is also regarded as one of the region’s important flood-free routes during major weather events, linking Maitland’s northern suburbs with Newcastle, Sydney and the broader East Coast.

The bridge corridor has come under increasing pressure as Maitland has faced repeated severe flooding in recent years and continued population growth north of the crossing. During flood events, traffic has often slowed heavily on a route relied on by residents to remain connected when other roads are cut.

The duplication project is intended to improve traffic flow, safety and access for about 24,500 motorists who use Thornton Road each day. The new bridge, expected to begin construction at the end of 2026, will provide two lanes in each direction across the Main North railway line.

The original Thornton Bridge was replaced in 2010, with provision made at the time for a future duplication. Early work on the current project began in April 2025, including the establishment of a pedestrian detour and a temporary site compound.

Other road works in the Thornton network include traffic lights installed in February 2021 at Railway Avenue and Glenroy Street, north of the bridge, creating a double right-hand turn that requires motorists to merge into one lane before accessing the existing 2010 bridge. In May 2022, the NSW Government announced $9.5 million from the Housing Acceleration Fund for new traffic lights at Government Road and Raymond Terrace Road.

The Albanese Government, through the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, and Maitland City Council are each contributing more than $3.74 million towards the $7.5 million duplication of Haussman Drive between Raymond Terrace Road and Taylor Avenue. The Minns Government and council are also investing $6.9 million to build a roundabout at Haussman Drive and Taylor Avenue.

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said Thornton Road was a vital link for the growing community.

“Thornton has been the fastest growing area in the state for 10 years, and it is good to see that after more than a lost decade of Liberal and National neglect, work will commence on this long promised project to relieve congestion.

“In every regional community, there are one or more roads people depend on when disaster strikes. The road that stays open when others go under, the road families rely on to get home safely, evacuate, or stay connected during a flood.

“For people living on either side of the railway between East Maitland through to Millers Forest, that vital connector road is Thornton Road.

“Local people have shared their safety concerns about this issue, and I am pleased to see the Minns Government getting on with the job of improving safety and infrastructure for residents living on the northern side of the bridge.”

Anyone with questions or concerns about the demolition work can contact Transport for NSW on 1800 644 812 or TRB@transport.nsw.gov.au
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