Edmondson Street Bridge concept designs. Image: Inland Rail.
The Edmondson Street Bridge in Wagga Wagga will be temporarily shut on Saturday, 22 November, to trial traffic impacts for local road users ahead of an 18-month closure of the structure.
As part of the works to construct a Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail route through Wagga Wagga, the bridge is set to be torn down and rebuilt.
The Federal Government entity Inland Rail and the council had been trying to negotiate a trial two-week closure of the bridge to gain a better understanding of the traffic implications before the works.
After many delays, the council finally signed off on two major components of the traffic plan last week and has now reached an agreement with Inland Rail on the November trial start date.
If the trial is successful and Wagga Wagga City Council gives its approval, the Edmondson Street Bridge will remain closed for about 18 months for Inland Rail to build the new one.
Inland Rail says the new bridge will be built to modern safety standards, deliver major benefits to the Wagga Wagga community, and improve the current restrictions for pedestrians and road users.
The work will create jobs and support businesses, with Inland Rail already employing 229 locals and spending nearly $20 million with more than 160 firms on the construction of the Albury to Parkes section of Inland Rail.
Throughout the trial, a Temporary Traffic Monitoring Centre (TTMC) will be established, with representatives from Inland Rail, Martinus Rail, Wagga Council, Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) and local emergency services to monitor and adjust traffic mitigation measures where necessary.
To prepare for the trial, adjustments to the local road network will be made throughout October and November.
One of the first changes the community will see will be trailer-mounted field cameras in key locations to collect real-time travel data on key routes, helping Inland Rail understand the impacts once the Edmondson Street Bridge is closed.
Temporary changes to school bus routes and timetables will also be implemented, with Inland Rail working with local bus operators and TfNSW to finalise the arrangements. Individual meetings with schools have been scheduled from the beginning of school term four to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming changes.
School buses will start using the new routes from Monday, 10 November, to ensure that students and schools can adjust to the changes before the trial bridge closure.
In addition, community members will be able to attend information sessions. Details of these sessions will be available on the Inland Rail website over coming weeks.
Pedestrian access will remain open at Wagga Wagga Station (Mothers Bridge) and Cassidy Street footbridges throughout the trial and construction period to maintain community connectivity.
During the trial period and construction phase, Wagga Wagga residents can ask questions or provide their feedback on the traffic mitigation measures by calling the community hotline on 1800 732 761.
For information on detours, traffic changes and bus timetable adjustments, visit the Inland Rail website. This page will be updated as the trial closure approaches.
