August 12, 2026 — 5:00amConstruction 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 regarded as 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 old Epping Bridge passes over a busy train line.Edwina PicklesThe state’s transport department is yet to award the contract for the new bridge to replace the existing structure – which was built in the 1930s – despite it previously targeting late last year for a deal. Construction of the single-span bridge is expected to take five years.Transport for NSW terminated an expression-of-interest process for contractors early last year, deciding on an abrupt change in approach for the project’s delivery and procurement. Following the change, the agency said it expected to award the main contract in late 2025.A promise of joint federal and state funding for the bridge, which is 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 to building the new bridge.Liberal MP for Epping and opposition finance spokeswoman Monica Tudehope said the Labor government had promised more lanes for Epping bridge, but the community was still waiting.An artist’s impression of the new Epping bridge.NSW government“Labor loves a photo op but hates a deadline. And Epping families are the ones stuck paying for it, sitting in traffic every single day,” she said.“They deserve transparency from the government and want to know when this project will get properly under way.”Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said Epping bridge was a key transport corridor, and Transport for NSW was taking the time to ensure the project delivered the “best outcome for the community, minimises construction impacts and provides value for money”.“The early contractor involvement process is continuing, and the community will be updated as the project progresses,” she said.Epping station neighbours the bridge.Edwina PicklesIn a sign of the project’s complexity, a significant amount of construction will have to be undertaken at night or during 14 scheduled shutdowns of the train line. The existing bridge will need to be demolished, and construction will disrupt traffic.Transport for NSW declined to say when it now expects to award the main contract, saying only that the procurement process was “ongoing”.“Transport for NSW has been undertaking an early contractor involvement procurement process to ensure innovative and value-for-money design and construction solutions are realised, and that impacts to the community are minimised,” it said.Under the plans the new bridge will have two more lanes than the existing five-lane structure, including a new westbound traffic lane and an extra right-turn lane southbound onto Blaxland Road.The new bridge is aimed at easing a choke point where Beecroft Road meets Epping Road, which is a major route linking northern Sydney to the lower north shore and the CBD, and is a key access road to the commercial, industrial and university areas of North Ryde and Macquarie Park.Two years ago an environmental review outlined plans for construction to start in mid-2025 and take about five years to complete. A temporary bridge was deemed necessary to enable construction of the new bridge’s northern end, while a significant portion of work would take place at night.An assessment of the existing bridge in 2022 concluded it was in a “deteriorated condition”.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.From our partners