Why it will take five years, 14 train line closures and $220m to fix a notorious Sydney bottleneck

Construction of a new seven-lane bridge in Sydney’s north to relieve a notorious road bottleneck is running late due to delays in awarding a major contract for the $220 million project. The planned Epping bridge is considered one of the most complex bridge projects in Sydney because the one it is replacing forms part of a major arterial road and passes over a busy train line. The existing bridge, built in the 1930s, is in deteriorated condition and must be replaced. The new structure is expected to take five years to complete. The state’s transport department has yet to award the contract for the new bridge, despite having previously targeted late last year for a decision. Transport for NSW decided to terminate an expression-of-interest process for contractors early last year, opting for an abrupt change in approach for the project’s delivery and procurement. Following this shift, the agency stated it expected to award the main contract in late 2025. However, as of August 2026, the exact timeline remains unclear, with officials stating the procurement process is ongoing. The promise of joint federal and state funding for the bridge, located near Epping train station, was first announced in May 2022 by the Perrottet and Morrison governments. Two years later, the Minns and Albanese governments each committed $110 million toward the project. Liberal MP for Epping and opposition finance spokeswoman Monica Tudehope criticized the Labor government, claiming it had promised more lanes for the Epping bridge but the community was still waiting. She expressed frustration, noting that Epping families were stuck paying for the delay, sitting in traffic daily. She called for greater transparency from the government regarding the project’s progress. Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison emphasized that the Epping bridge was a key transport corridor and that Transport for NSW was prioritizing the best outcome for the community, minimizing construction impacts and ensuring value for money. She noted that the early contractor involvement process was continuing, and the community would be kept informed as the project progressed. However, the lack of a clear timeline has raised concerns among local residents and officials alike. The project's complexity is evident in its planning. A significant amount of construction will have to occur at night or during 14 scheduled shutdowns of the train line. The existing bridge will need to be demolished, and the construction process will cause disruptions to traffic. An environmental review conducted two years ago outlined plans for construction to begin in mid-2025, with the entire project expected to take about five years to complete. A temporary bridge was deemed necessary to facilitate the construction of the new bridge’s northern end, with much of the work scheduled for nighttime hours. Under the proposed plans, the new bridge will feature two additional lanes compared to the current five-lane structure. These include a new westbound traffic lane and an extra right-turn lane southbound onto Blaxland Road. The goal is to ease congestion at the choke point where Beecroft Road intersects with Epping Road. This intersection serves as a critical link between northern Sydney and the lower north shore, connecting to the city center and key economic zones such as North Ryde and Macquarie Park. The area is home to numerous commercial, industrial, and educational institutions, making the improvement essential for regional mobility and economic activity. An assessment of the existing bridge in 2022 confirmed its deteriorated condition, reinforcing the necessity for replacement. Despite these findings, the project has faced repeated delays, with the latest setbacks stemming from the delayed awarding of the main contract. As the project moves forward, the focus remains on balancing infrastructure improvements with the challenges posed by the existing transportation network and the logistical demands of large-scale construction.