Built in 1971, the bridge carries two lanes of vehicular traffic with two pedestrian sidewalks.

The bridge was renamed in 2006 in honour of the asbestos diseases campaigner, Bernie Banton.

On the North Parramatta side of the river, the bridge provides access to residential areas as well as Western Sydney Stadium (now Commbank Stadium), Parramatta Leagues Club, Old King's Parade Ground, St Patrick's Cathedral and Our Lady of Mercy College.

The weir was used as a river crossing until the 1970s when the adjacent and better aligned Marsden Street bridge was constructed.

As a weir and roadway it frequently closed in wet weather as the water overtopped the structure.