Tilly Willy Bridge closed from 4 May

Published on 28 April 2026

Major refurbishment works have started on Tilly Willy Bridge, a heavy vehicle route connecting Macksville to Bowraville via Wilson Road.

Nambucca Valley Council Director Engineering Services David Moloney said the concrete casings on the bridge’s piles have corroded, causing its structural steel to be exposed to the salt water and deteriorate.

“Council’s structures team are working below the bridge doing preparatory work for its new bridge piles right now,” he said.

“Once the bridge is closed from 4 May, the team will be able to pour new concrete bridge piles, effectively encasing the old piles and reinforcing them with new steel.

“After the piles are complete, other components of the bridge will need to be refurbished, causing it to close for a period of up to six weeks.

“Detours will be in place and motorists should expect moderate delays in travel time. I thank our community for its patience while we carry out these essential works.

“Once completed, the current ban on heavy vehicles and the previous five tonne load limit will be able to be removed from the bridge, allowing milk tankers, haulage trucks and other heavy vehicles to use it, which will be great for the community.”

Essential structural works being carried out on Tilly Willy Bridge include:

• Forming up, reinforcing with steel and pouring new concrete bridge piles around the bridge’s existing piles

• Forming up, reinforcing with steel and pouring new concrete headstocks and connecting it to the bridge’s existing headstock

• Removing and replacing timber girders, packing between the girder and decking units to improve ride quality

• Removing and replacing the concrete deck

• Reinstating guardrail.

Detours in place while the bridge is closed – approximately 4 May to 7 June 2026

A detour will be in place for all motorists, vehicles and pedestrians from about 4 May to 7 June, or potentially longer, weather depending:

Kings Point residents: local residents with light vehicles will be able to detour through Kings Point estate, via Jellico and Sturdee Streets, then over Little Tilly Willy Bridge on Taylors Arm Road to Macksville.

Macksville and Bowraville residents: residents of these towns are encouraged to use Rodeo Drive whenever possible to travel between Macksville and Bowraville, to minimise impact on Kings Point estate.

Pedestrians: there will be no pedestrian access over Tilly Willy Bridge during this period. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the detour through Kinds Point estate to access Macksville.

Fishermen: disruptions will be caused to any fishermen wishing to use Tilly Willy Creek to access the Nambucca River. Commercial fishermen only are encouraged to contact Council’s structures team on 0417 488 565 for further information.

The best way to stay up-to-date on Council works is to sign up to Council’s Antenno app.

Antenno is a free mobile app, which gives you real time notifications about Council works in the locations you care about. Antenno can be downloaded on smart phones via the App Store or Google Play.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:

Mr David Moloney

DIRECTOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

02 6568 2555