‘Floodproof’ Windsor Bridge visible again after being swallowed by Hawkesbury River in mass floods

A ‘floodproof’ bridge in NSW that was swallowed by waters after torrential downpours can finally be seen again.

A “floodproof” bridge that was almost completely underwater in Sydney’s northwest can finally be seen again as waters begin to drop.

Photos of the Windsor Bridge emerged on Friday, showing water levels below the deck.

Locals were seen overlooking the bridge.

The bridge, which connects western Sydney with the Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains, was designed to be “floodproof” but closed last Sunday as weather across the state worsened.

Parts of NSW experienced a flooding event that was its worst in almost 50 years.

The Windsor Bridge in northwest Sydney has begun to resurface. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The “floodproof” bridge was closed on Sunday after being submerged by flood waters. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The Hawkesbury River region last week braced for flooding that could leave residents with disrupted utilities for months.

On Monday, locals watched on as the Windsor bridge went under water.

The state government said the new bridge, which opened for public use last year, would be better able to cope with the impacts of flooding.

The deck is three metres higher at the northern bank and six metres higher at the southern bank than the old bridge.

However, the approach to the bridge on the Thompson Square side is not higher than the ground-floor levels of nearby buildings.

The Windsor Bridge was flooded by the Hawkesbury River earlier this week. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The bridge replacement includes three lanes – two southbound and one northbound – as well as a shared pedestrian and cyclist path on the western side.

The state government allocated $25m for the project in June 2008, with planning approval granted in December 2013.

The bridge was originally built in 1874 with two lanes used for foot traffic and horse-drawn vehicles.

Originally published as ‘Floodproof’ Windsor Bridge visible again after being swallowed by Hawkesbury River in mass floods