A 40-tonne bridge has been lifted into place to connect the future $540 million Westmead Centre for Mental Health to Westmead Hospital.
The two-storey bridge, spanning 21 metres, was assembled on the hospital campus before being transported along Dragonfly Drive on a self-propelled, electronically steered modular vehicle. Operated remotely, the vehicle travelled at less than 1km per hour as it navigated speed bumps and bends in the road. A 300-tonne mobile crane then lifted the bridge into its final position.
Once operational, the bridge will provide direct access between Westmead Hospital’s Emergency Department and the centre.
NSW Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson welcomed the milestone.
“The new link bridge is a core part of design, connecting patients with specialist services across Westmead Hospital, supporting more integrated care and better outcomes for people accessing mental health support, as well as their families and carers,” she said.
The Westmead Centre for Mental Health will accommodate acute mental health beds for young people, adults, older persons and people living with eating disorders, along with intensive care and high dependency units, subacute and non-acute beds and outpatient services.
Once complete, mental health services currently operating at Cumberland Hospital will relocate to the purpose-built facility, increasing bed capacity and treatment spaces to meet growing demand across Western Sydney.
The project is being delivered by Health Infrastructure in partnership with Western Sydney Local Health District, with Richard Crookes Constructions engaged as the main works contractor.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
