Reminder Tilly Willy Bridge closes from tomorrow
Published on 03 May 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 from tomorrow the bridge will close, to enable his team to work on the top of the deck.
“Council’s structures team have been working below the bridge for several weeks, doing preparatory work for the new bridge piles to come,” he said.
“Once the bridge is closed from tomorrow, 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.”
When completed, the refurbished Tilly Willy Bridge will result in its current five tonne load limit being removed, allowing milk tankers, haulage trucks and other heavy vehicles to use the bridge and Wilson Road.
Detours in place while the bridge is closed – approximately 4 May to 7 June 2026, weather depending
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.
Kings Point school children: if parents wish for their children to catch a Busways bus to Macksville schools, they can during the bridge closure. To do this, children need to either present to a bus stop on Sturdee Street, or hail a bus, during pick-up times.
Busways have advised school children at Kings Point can catch the S251 Busways bus. It drives along Sturdee Street, Kings Point, weekdays between 8.38am and 8.43am. School children and their parent simply need to attend Sturdee St during this time slot and hail the bus, from a spot on the street where there is room for the bus to safely park. No bus pass is required. Once on the bus, it will drive into Macksville and arrive at Macksville Public School at 8.47am and Macksville High School at 8.50am.
In the afternoon, school children should again catch the S251 bus to return to Kings Point. This bus leaves Macksville High School at 3.25pm weekdays, and Macksville Public School at 3.28pm. It will be drive along Sturdee Street to drop bus users off at approximately 3.33pm.
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.
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