Wagga is only two days into the Edmondson Street Bridge trial closure. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Inland Rail has claimed early success in the Edmondson Street Bridge trial closure, stating that traffic delays on the first weekday of the closure were within its planned range.
However, some drivers have expressed frustration at delays.
The closure of the Edmondson Street Bridge has been a major point of contention within Wagga Wagga, with many residents claiming the closure would add prolonged wait times to travel.
More than 10,000 vehicles use the road daily to travel to and from the CBD. While the delay is infuriating for some, others believe it is a necessary evil to upgrade the crumbling bridge.
Inland Rail has stated the trial closure is operating well, and it is continuing to monitor traffic.
“Trial traffic mitigations have worked effectively during the first weekday morning peak period since the Edmondson Street Bridge closure, with traffic movements this morning within our forecast range,” Inland Rail Acting Chief Operating Officer Ed Walker said.
“The temporary Traffic Monitoring Centre is fully operational and working well, with a dedicated team actively monitoring live traffic conditions and adjusting mitigation measures as needed.
“Inland Rail would like to remind pedestrians that both the Mother’s Bridge and Cassidy Parade footbridge can still be used to cross the rail line and would also like to remind the community to please exercise caution at pedestrian crossings, and also for motorists to drive responsibly during this transitional period.
“We thank the Wagga Wagga community for their ongoing patience and cooperation during the trial of the traffic mitigations.”
Motorist Bethany Mills said she had yet to notice any real delays in traffic around the CBD despite the closure.
Ms Mills also said that while it might be a pain in the short term, she believed the long-term gain would be worth it.
“I’ve seen a couple of news stories about it, and it’s like they were reporting about a big, important event, like it’s the end of the world,” she said.
“It’s been a couple of days now, and I haven’t experienced any problems with the closed bridge. Sure, it’s going to be inconvenient, but you can still get to where you need to go; it’s not that big of a deal.
“I think we just need to get it over and done with and stop making such a big fuss.”
Others, including Jack Williams, who travel between Turvey Park and the CBD regularly for work, said it had already caused lengthy delays.
“I’ve had to travel over Willans Hill and drive down Lake Albert Road when I’d normally only have to go across the bridge,” he said.
“The wait coming down that road is so frustrating, especially stopping at the three sets of lights between the Copland Street turnoff and the highway.”
The trial closure is expected to continue for another two weeks.
