About the project
Epping Bridge is 124 years old. The evolution of the project from a bridge widening to a bridge replacement project will provide the community with a safer and more efficient bridge for decades to come.
The proposal to replace the existing bridge with a new wider bridge will unlock vital road capacity and keep the 63,000 vehicles that use the bridge each day moving quickly, safely and efficiently.
The Epping Bridge Project
enhances connectivity to Epping Town Centre, Epping Station and bus interchange for all modes of transport
supports Epping Town Centre development by increasing road capacity to support future growth and renewal
builds on major public transport investment in Epping Town Centre with the upgrade of Epping Station in 2013 and opening of Metro North West Line in 2019
complements road and intersection upgrades completed in Epping Town Centre in 2018 as part of the Epping Town Centre Urban Activation Plan
aligns with future road and rail plans.
Project Overview
Epping Bridge is congested in peak periods, with high levels of traffic delay and queuing down Epping Road. Traffic demand across the bridge will continue to grow as Epping and its town centre continues to develop. Replacing the existing five lane bridge with a new seven lane bridge will unlock vital road capacity for the 63,000 vehicles that cross the bridge each day.
In July 2018, the NSW Government announced the widening of Epping Bridge as the third in a series of road projects in Epping Town Centre to support Epping growth and town centre development.
In May 2022, a joint announcement was made by the Australian and NSW governments committing $220 million in funding for the Epping Bridge Project.
In April 2023, Transport for NSW awarded Mott MacDonald Australia the contract to develop the concept design, prepare the Review of Environmental Factors (REF), manage early investigation work and provide technical advice for the project.
Development of the concept design and REF has now been completed. Our Have Your Say closed at 23:59PM Monday 7 October.
Key benefits of the Epping Bridge Project
increased road capacity, improved traffic flow and travel times
improved road safety
improved connectivity to Epping Town Centre, Epping Station and bus interchange for all modes of transport
enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety and mobility
reduced bridge maintenance and operational costs
Key features of the Epping Bridge Project
The project proposes replacing the existing five lane bridge with a new, wider, safer and more efficient seven lane bridge.
The new bridge will include:
an additional westbound lane into Beecroft Road
an additional right turn lane southbound into Blaxland Road
a shared walking and bike riding path on the southern side of the bridge
a raised central median
bridge safety screens
Additional road upgrades include:
road improvements to Beecroft Road, Blaxland Road, Epping Road, Bridge Street, High Street and Langston Place approaches to the bridge
upgrade of the traffic signals at the Epping Road, Blaxland Road and Langston Place intersection
a staged pedestrian crossing across Epping Road
raised pedestrian (zebra) crossings at High Street and Bridge Street.
Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to commence in mid-2025 and take approximately five years to complete. Transport will look for opportunities to reduce construction duration during detailed design and with the delivery partner.
Did you know?
Epping Station, originally named Field of Mars, opened in 1886 on Surrey Street, Epping, approximately 400 metres north of its present location. It was renamed Carlingford in 1887 and by 1890 it had been relocated southwards to its present site. In 1900, it was renamed Epping Station and Epping Bridge was upgraded from the original wooden pedestrian bridge constructed in 1891 to a steel bridge.
Several modifications have been made to Epping Bridge throughout the years. Between 1929 and 1943, the bridge was widened, and the existing concrete deck and steel support structure built. In 1969, Epping Bridge was further widened to its current width of 22 metres.
Replacing the 124-year-old bridge with a new, wider bridge will provide the community with a safer and more efficient bridge for decades to come.
Epping Station (with Epping Bridge in the background) 1928 Image source: Hornsby Shire Council
A view of Epping Bridge from the station c1920 Image source: State Library of New South Wales and Hornsby Library and Information Service. Photo by Rex Hazelwood and Edward Lawn