Hunts Creek Bridge Project FAQ's

As part of its critical infrastructure upgrades, City of Parramatta plans to remove the twin stormwater culverts at Hunts Creek Bridge on North Rocks Road and replace them with a new single-span bridge which will carry three lanes of traffic and 3m-wide shared cycle and pedestrian paths either side. 

While preliminary works began in February 2024, the rest of the Hunts Creek Bridge program was subject to advice and approval from Transport for NSW (TfNSW). 

In late November 2024, TfNSW provided formal approval for Hunts Creek Bridge works to resume, approving a new program and traffic management plan. Council plans to recommence the 14-month Hunts Creek Bridge in early 2025. 

The first stage of the Hunts Creek Bridge program began with night works from Monday 20 January to Thursday 23 January 2025, with a second stage from 5 April to 4 June. Various works will continue until March 2026 with a range of impacts on traffic.

Work will be completed in four (4) stages with altered traffic arrangements in place throughout the program. The construction schedule will involve a combination of works during normal business hours, nightworks, weekend closures, lane closures and the full closure of North Rocks Road, with detours in place. For detailed program information, please download the PDF(PDF, 136KB).

The replacement of Hunts Creek Bridge is essential work required to ensure the safety of our community. The existing twin stormwater culverts (circa 1960s) are reaching the end of their serviceable life and a bridge upgrade is necessary. 

We appreciate there will be some disruption and apologise for any inconvenience. City of Parramatta will work closely with its specialist contractors to see the works completed as safely and as quickly as possible and restore two-way travel on North Rocks Road as soon as we can.

The new program will see closures of North Rocks Road from the intersection of Church Street/Windsor Road to the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills Shopping Centre on selected weekends throughout February, June and July, and for a month following the completion of nightworks. (Details TBC).

The new program incorporates nightworks and weekend shutdowns to reduce the originally proposed six-month closure of the northbound lane on North Rocks Road, between Church Street / Windsor Road and the Woolworths’ driveway at the Mills Shopping Centre, to a one-month closure of northbound lanes (details TBC).

Following the planned one-month closure, we anticipate that most of the work will be undertaken during normal business hours, with North Rocks Road open to two-way traffic for the remainder of the program until March 2026.

For program details please download the PDF(PDF, 136KB).  

Please note when detours are in operation, northbound travel from Church Street / Windsor Road to the Mills Shopping Centre will be diverted. Motorists will be able to travel south along North Rocks Road to access the Mills Shopping Centre. However, when exiting The Mills Shopping Centre, vehicles will be restricted to turning left (northbound) only, i.e. no right hand turn into North Rocks Road (southbound).

These access restrictions to and from The Mills Shopping Centre will only be implemented during weekend shutdowns when detours are in place. Detours and access restrictions will also be in effect during the one-month closure of North Rocks Road (dates to be confirmed).

In early 2024, Council began installing signage and communicating with residents and motorists about the planned changes to North Rocks Road and construction on Hunts Creek Bridge. 

In late November 2024, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) confirmed final details of the works program and timings, approving a new program and traffic management plan.

Council began its Hunts Creek Bridge replacement program in January 2025. 

A rolling program of construction works including work during normal business hours, weekend closures, nightwork and lane closures will continue until completion of the Hunts Creek Bridge project in March 2026.

Throughout this work, it is expected that traffic controllers will be in place to divert traffic around the worksite. For key periods, detours will be in operation, diverting traffic away from North Rocks Road.

For further information about the works, please download the PDF(PDF, 136KB) of the program. 

Council will provide additional information as each stage of works approaches.

Residents will be advised to avoid the area if possible, allow extra travel time and to expect delays. 

27 February to 12 March 2024 - utilities investigations

From 27 February 2024, a two-week program of night works was undertaken. Carried out between 8pm and 5am, the focus of the work was on utility mapping and road marking.

While two-way traffic was maintained, traffic controllers closed one lane and diverted traffic around the work site.

Motorists were advised to reduce speed and take extra care while moving through the work zone.

North Rocks Road was reinstated by 5am each morning allowing motorists to use the road as usual throughout the day.

Nightwork: 17 February to 30 August 2025

• Allowing contractors to focus on utility location and reconnection and other work, lanes on North Rocks Road, Windsor Road and Church Street leading into the intersection of these roads were closed from 8pm to 5am.
• On other nights, targeted lane closures on North Rocks Road took place, with different lanes closed throughout the evening. Traffic controllers maintained two-way traffic flow.
• Digital message boards were installed highlighting the lane closures, motorists were advised to slow down and proceed with caution while travelling through the work zone.
• North Rocks Road was reinstated by 5am each day.

First weekend closure: Friday 7 February to Monday 10 February 2025

To allow pile installation and other works, a full closure of North Rocks Road between Windsor Road / Church Street and the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills shopping centre was scheduled. Detours were in place.

A section of North Rocks Road was closed from 8pm Friday to 5am Monday with work taking place 24hrs a day.

• Motorists were able to travel south along North Rocks Road.
• Motorists could turn right into The Mills shopping Centre. On exiting the centre, customers could only turn left – no right turn.
• Access for buses was facilitated.
• Increased truck movements to and from the laydown area (compound) on Bourke Street were managed.
• North Rocks Road was reinstated for normal use by 5am Monday morning.

Nightwork: 17 February to 4 June 2025

Allowing further progress on utilities searches, relocation and reconnection, nightworks from 8pm to 5am were scheduled for five days a week.

• Traffic controllers maintained traffic flow in both directions.
• Controllers were in place at Woolworths’ driveway to ensure access in and out.
• Increased truck movements to and from the laydown area (compound) on Bourke Street were managed.
• North Rocks Road was reinstated for normal use by 5am each day.

Second weekend closure: Friday 11 July to Monday 14 July 2025

Enabling further work on Hunts Creek Bridge, Transport for NSW has approved a full closure of North Rocks Road between Windsor Road / Church Street and the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills shopping centre. Detours will be in place.

• Work will start at 8pm Friday 11 July, and continue round-the-clock until 5am Monday 14 July.
• Detours will be in place – via Pennant Hills Road, James Ruse Drive and Cumberland Highway. Please refer to the map above.
• Motorists will be able to travel south along North Rocks Road and turn right into The Mills shopping centre.
• Customers will exit left out of the centre. No right turn.
• Traffic controllers will be onsite. Controllers at The Mills shopping centre driveway will facilitate access in and out of the centre.
• Increased truck movements to and from the laydown area (compound) on Bourke Street are to be expected.
• Access through the work zone will be provided for buses and emergency service vehicles.
• North Rocks Road will be reinstated for usual use by 5am Monday 14 July.
• Avoid the area if possible.
• Expect delays.
• Allow extra travel time.

Nightworks mid-July 2025 (dates to be confirmed)

The focus of the two-week activity will be on essential utility cut-overs, including Telstra upgrades. Sydney Water will complete final cut-over activities including chlorination to disinfect the newly-installed water mains to ensure water is safe to drink. Jemena will relocate the gas mains.

Work will start at 8pm with North Rocks Road reinstated to usual conditions by 5am the next morning. Traffic controllers will be on site to manage traffic flow. Two-way traffic will be maintained.

It is expected that night work will be schedule up to four (4) nights a week.

Schedule subject to the successful completion of works during the weekend closure, TfNSW approval, weather and site conditions.

Third weekend closure

15 to 18 August 2025

Full closure of North Rocks Road between Windsor Road / Church Street and the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills shopping centre.

• Dates to be confirmed, subject to the completion of nightworks including the relocation and reconnection of utilities and approval from Transport for NSW.
• Detours in place. Refer to the map above.
• More information to be provided.

Fourth weekend closure

Late-2025 (dates to be confirmed)

Full closure of North Rocks Road between Windsor Road / Church Street and the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills shopping centre.

• Dates to be confirmed by Transport for NSW.
• Detours in place. Refer to the map above.
• More information to be provided.

Stage 1

One-month closure of North Rocks Road (north bound)
Late-2025 (dates to be confirmed)

North Rocks Road will be closed from the intersection of Church Street and Windsor Road to the Woolworths’s driveway at The Mills shopping centre.

• The program is subject to the successful completion of the nightworks and the weekend closures in addition to approval from Transport for NSW.
• Detours will be in place (refer to the map above).
• Work will take place Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm and Saturdays 8am to 1pm, with some nightwork from 8pm to 5am as required.
• Motorists will still be able to travel south along North Rocks Road and through to Church Street and Windsor Road, as well as turn right into Woolworths at The Mills shopping centre.
• Customers will exit left out of the shopping centre. No right turn.
• Access through the work zone will be facilitated for buses and emergency service vehicles.
• Avoid the area if possible.
• Expect delays.
• Allow extra travel time.

Stage 2

Late-2025/early-2026 (dates to be confirmed)

• North Rocks Road is open to traffic.
• No detour in place.
• One (1) lane in both directions will be open – two-way traffic maintained by traffic controllers.
• Work will take place Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm and Saturdays 8am to 1pm.
• Avoid the area if possible.
• Expect delays.
• Allow extra travel time
• More information to be provided.

Stage 3

February 2026 – March 2026 (dates to be confirmed)

• North Rocks Road open - traffic maintained in both directions by traffic controllers.
• Work will take place Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm and Saturdays 8am to 1pm with additional nightshifts and weekend work if required.
• Traffic control in place at Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills shopping centre to ensure access in and out.
• Increased truck movements to and from the laydown area (compound) on Bourke Street.
• Expect delays.
• Allow extra travel time.
• More information to be provided.

Please download the (PDF, 160KB)Hunts Creek Bridge program(PDF, 136KB).

Standard hours: 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm Saturday

Nightworks: 8pm to 5am

Certain work may need to occur outside of standard hours. Out of hours work is required in some cases to minimise disruptions to motorists, pedestrians and nearby sensitive receivers. Residents will be informed when works are anticipated to be conducted outside of standard hours. 

Out of hours including weekend and nightwork is required in some cases to minimise disruptions to motorists, pedestrians and nearby sensitive receivers (residents, childcare, aged care facilities etc).

Nightworks are planned as part of the major works program. Two-way traffic be maintained during nightworks, and work take will place from 8pm, with North Rocks Road reinstated to normal traffic flow by 5am.

Where possible, the most noise-intensive works will be scheduled to take place before 11.30pm with noise mitigation measures in place throughout the work.

Currently, there are nightworks planned until 30 August 2025 (from 8pm to 5am). 

Please download the Hunts Creek Bridge program(PDF, 136KB).

Residents will be informed when works are anticipated to be conducted outside of standard hours.

A variety of equipment will be on site throughout the program including piling rigs, cranes, excavators and trucks. Where possible, noise intensive works will be scheduled during normal business hours. However, there may be instances where noise intensive works may need to be undertaken out of hours to expedite project delivery.

Council and contractors will take steps to reduce noise on site and ensure appropriate noise and dust suppression measures are taken. Sediment control protocols will also be in place to reduce the impact of construction on Hunts Creek.

It is anticipated that when the major works begin to replace the twin stormwater culverts on North Rocks Road, partial road closures will be required.

North Rocks Road will be fully closed in both directions from the intersection of Church Street/Windsor Road to the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills Shopping Centre during the weekend closures in February to August 2025.

The northbound lane of North Rocks Road (from the intersection of Church Street/Windsor Road to the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills Shopping Centre) will be close for one-month from late-2025 to facilitate construction of the western side of Hunts Creek Bridge.

Please download the PDF(PDF, 136KB) of the program for more information.

To assist with traffic management, Bettington Road and Stratham Avenue can be used by vehicles up to 8-tonnes during the construction period.

Vehicles greater than 8-tonnes will be required to utilise arterial roads that support their loads, i.e. Pennant Hills Road, Cumberland Highway, Windsor Road.

City of Parramatta will provide more information closer to the dates for the road closure.

Once major works on North Rocks Road and Hunts Creek Bridge begin, City of Parramatta will activate detours around the work, temporarily closing North Rocks Road from Church Street / Windsor Road to the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills Shopping Centre. The first weekend closure took place Friday 7 to Monday 10 February 2025.

Additional closures of North Rocks Road are scheduled for selected weekends in July and August 2025. The first 11 to 14 July, with further dates to be confirmed following completion of the nightworks program, successfully completing planned works during previous weekend closures, and approval from Transport for NSW. 

A one-month closure of North Rocks Road, between Church Street / Windsor Road and the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills shopping centre, is expected to take place in late-2025. Detours will be in place. (Dates to be confirmed. More information to be provided).

For more information, see the (PDF, 160KB)Hunts Creek Bridge program(PDF, 136KB).

For enquiries around traffic management, please contact Council’s Traffic team via Customer Service on 1300 617 058 or email HuntsCreekBridge@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au 

To report oversized vehicles (more than 8-Tonne) using Bettington Road or Stratham Avenue during the construction period, or for other concerns about prohibited activity including illegal parking, please contact the Customer Service team on 1300 617 058 and complete a service request for City of Parramatta Rangers to investigate.

During the Hunts Creek Bridge works there will be periods where North Rocks Road will be fully closed or with only southbound lanes operating from Church Street / Windsor Road to the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills Shopping Centre.

When major works are planned, starting Friday 7 February 2025, vehicles up to 8-tonne will be detoured around the construction site via James Ruse Drive or Pennant Hills Road and through Statham Avenue and Bettington Road. For more information, please download the PDF(PDF, 160KB) of the program.

Vehicles more than 8-tonne are not permitted to use Statham Avenue and Bettington Road, Drivers must follow detours on arterial roads that support their loads, i.e. Pennant Hills Road, Cumberland Highway and Windsor Road.

More information will be provided closer to the closure dates.

There are specific rules that apply to load limited roads which truck operators are well aware of. Where Load Limits currently apply, these will remain in place and will be monitored as part of Council’s normal regulatory program. City of Parramatta will also continue to promote the upcoming major works and advice when the works will require northbound traffic to divert from North Rocks Road and use either James Ruse Drive or Pennant Hills Road.

Our specialist contractor will work closely with residents who live on North Rocks Road to ensure access to their property is maintained and to assist where possible. This major roads project will be challenging, but is essential to ensure the safety of our community.

Residents and businesses will need to follow the direction of signage when detours are in place. During the weekend shutdown works and the one-month northbound lane closure of North Rocks Road between Church Street / Windsor Road and the Woolworths’ driveway at the Mills Shopping Centre, motorists will be diverted away from North Rocks Road. 

Council has worked with Transport for NSW to find a solution for buses. Buses will be able to access North Rocks Road (through the construction site in both directions) during all stages of the project.

Council will be liaising with Transport for NSW and emergency services to create an appropriate plan for vehicle access.

Parents and Guardians who usually travel along North Rocks Road with their children will need to be aware of the planned partial road closures and the detour for northbound traffic. 

While detours will be in place primarily on weekends and during June, with ongoing works until March 2026, school communities are being asked to take extra care when driving, to allow extra travel time, and expect delays. For more information, please download the PDF of the program.

Please note, buses will be able to access North Rocks Road (through the construction site in both directions) during all stages of the project. 

Further information on bus services will be provided soon. 

Pedestrian access along North Rocks Road will be maintained. 

Residents and commuters are advised to check Live Traffic for updates.

While two-way traffic along North Rocks Road is being maintained through as much of the construction program as possible, there are closures and detours during some parts of the work schedule. However, Council has worked with Transport for NSW to find a solution for buses.

Buses will be able to access North Rocks Road (through the construction site in both directions) during all stages of the project.  

During scheduled weekend closures, and the planned mid-year four-week closure, taxis along with all vehicles (except for emergency services and buses) will be restricted to southbound travel along North Rocks Road up to the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills Shopping Centre.

Detours will divert all northbound traffic away from the intersection of Windsor Road/Church Street/North Rocks Road to James Ruse Drive and Pennant Hills Road. Access to the Woolworths’ driveway at The Mills Shopping Centre will be maintained from the south. Customers leaving the centre must turn left into North Rocks Road.  

For more information, please download the PDF of the program(PDF, 136KB).

During the construction program, January 2025 to March 2026, a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained on one side of North Rocks Road. To begin with this will be on the eastern side of North Rocks Road, and during the later stage of the works this will be on the western side of North Rocks Road.

The signalised pedestrian crossing of North Rocks Road at Hunts Creek Bridge will not be operational during construction. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the signalised crossing at the adjacent intersection of North Rocks Road, Windsor Road and Church Street intersection, which is located approximately 100 metres south-west of the project site.

Traffic Controllers will assist in managing traffic flow to enable pedestrians and cyclists safe access, and will block pedestrians from crossing when trucks are entering or leaving the project site.

For more information, please download the PDF of the program(PDF, 160KB).

The program for the Hunts Creek replacement bridge project has significantly changed with Council able to reduce the length of time required for the full closure of North Rocks Road from the previously advised six-months to one month.

Work recommenced in January 2025, with a program including nightworks and weekend closures. It is anticipated that for most of the work, North Rocks Road will be maintained as two-way.

Access for pedestrians into the shopping centre will not change during the construction period.

However, during scheduled weekend closures and the one-month northbound lane closure of North Rocks Road (late-2025 dates to be confirmed), vehicles will only be able to access The Mills Shopping Centre by travelling southbound on North Rocks Road.

When exiting the centre, there will be no right turn from the Woolworths carpark out onto North Rocks Road. Vehicles exiting Woolworths onto North Rocks Road, will be restricted to turning left (northbound) only. 

Residents and commuters are advised to check Live Traffic for updates.

For more information, please download the PDF of the program(PDF, 136KB).

The Hunts Creek Bridge project is being undertaken in accordance with State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021, and therefore, is permissible without development consent under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act.

Since undertaking temporary stabilisation works to the existing culverts in late 2019, the City of Parramatta has been actively developing the most appropriate solution for replacement of the ageing stormwater culverts. This has been a very complex and time-intensive process. Throughout design development, Council’s underlying aim has always been to minimise the project’s impact on businesses and residents, and utilities, and to develop a construction program that minimises disruption as much as possible.  Council will continue to work with neighbouring businesses, Transport for NSW and our specialist consultants and contractors to deliver the new bridge as efficiently as possible to minimise impact on residents and our community.

The main focus of this project is to remove and replace the ageing twin stormwater culverts at Hunts Creek Bridge. However, some of the environmental benefits of the planned new single-span concrete bridge will be improved stormwater retention in Hunts Creek and helping to minimise flooding on North Rocks Road. The new bridge will also support 3m wide shared pedestrian and cycling paths either side to improve options for active transport.

In terms of improved environmental outcomes for the creek itself, during construction there will be sediment controls and other environmental sustainability protocols to minimise silt and ensure there are no elements of concern introduced into the waterway, fish paths will also be maintained. There will be a clean-up of the vegetation at the bridge site with non-native and environmental weed species, ground cover as well as some canopy trees removed.  Planned additional works outside the scope of the demolition and construction of the new bridge will include cleaning and removal of debris, removal of weeds and non-native vegetation.  The site will be progressively rehabilitated at the end of each stage of the construction. Work will include the rehabilitation and revegetation of disturbed areas including revegetation within the riparian areas to stabilise the creek banks.

Council will investigate clean-up works including vegetation along the creek separate to the Hunts Creek Bridge project.

As part of the Hunts Creek Bridge replacement project, Bourke Street is being used as a site storage compound. Minimum disturbance of the ground will occur. The site is not being excavated, instead, material is being brought in to create a suitable base to store materials, plant and equipment for the project.

The City of Parramatta commissioned a Review of Environmental Factors report to address any heritage matters for the project. Council also sought the advice of a Heritage Consultant about the protection of known and unexpected heritage items at Bourke Street.

The exposed brick foundations/walls which are classified as Heritage of Local Significance are being protected.

Generally, geofabric will be installed to the site compound area before it is covered with a thick layer of road base to protect any exposed brick foundations on the surface.

Additionally, an exclusion zone will also be marked out within the site compound to delineate areas where artefacts are known or likely to be located underneath the surface.

Throughout the project any unexpected finds of heritage items will be managed in accordance with NSW Heritage protocols.

At the completion of the project the area of the Bourke Street compound will be fully restored.

The $11.5M Hunts Creek Bridge project has received funding from the Australian and State Governments, Voluntary Planning Agreements and Developer Contributions, together with Council Capital works funding.

For more information on the Hunts Creek Bridge project, please contact Council’s Capital Works team on 1300 617 058 or email HuntsCreekBridge@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

For construction related enquiries, urgent or after-hours enquiries please contact Abergeldie Contractors on their dedicated community information number 0400 374 779.