A new link bridge connecting the future Westmead Centre for Mental Health to the broader hospital campus has been installed in a major construction milestone for the project.
The double-storey bridge, which weighs 40 tonnes and spans 21 metres, was assembled on the Westmead campus before being transported into position.
Due to its size and weight, the bridge was carefully transported along Dragonfly Drive on a self-propelled, electronically steered modular vehicle, operated by remote-control.
Moving at speeds of less than 1 kilometre per hour, it navigated speed bumps and bends in the road, before being lifted into its final position by a 300-tonne mobile crane.
The operation was carefully coordinated with some temporary road closures in place to maintain access to the hospital for emergency services.
The bridge will become operational when the $540 million Westmead Centre for Mental Health opens, which is well underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The direct link will make it easier for patients, visitors and staff to move between the new facility and the broader hospital campus, supporting more integrated care and improving access between the Emergency Department and the new mental health facility.
Once complete, mental health services currently located at Cumberland Hospital will relocate to the modern, purpose-built facility that has been designed for contemporary best-practice care.
The new facility will include:
- acute mental health beds for youth, adolescents, adults, older persons and people living with eating disorders
- mental health intensive care and high dependency units
- sub and non-acute mental health beds
- multidisciplinary ambulatory and outpatient services.
The new unit will provide an uplift in beds and treatment spaces to help address the growing community demand in Western Sydney.
The facility is being delivered by Health Infrastructure in partnership with Western Sydney Local Health District, with Richard Crookes Constructions engaged as the main works contractor.
The Minns Labor Government has delivered a record $3.3 billion investment in mental health services in the 2026-27 Budget, representing a 20 per cent increase in funding since FY2022-23, with targeted investment in community mental health services like NSW Mental Health Hubs and Medicare Mental Health Centres.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:
"It's fantastic to see the new mental health facility reach this important milestone, the installation of the new link bridge brings us one step closer to delivering expanded, modern mental health services right in the heart of Western Sydney.
"Mental health care has come a long way and we have a better understanding now of how to provide safe, contemporary care in a thoughtfully designed environment to support recovery.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Member for Parramatta Donna Davis:
"This is a major milestone for the project and marks a new era for mental health care at Westmead, creating a direct connection and enhanced access between the new mental health facility and the broader hospital.
"The new Westmead Centre for Mental Health will provide more integrated, contemporary care for our community, close to other specialist services at Westmead Hospital.
"It's fantastic for the community to see the major progress that's being made on this important project."
