The Edmondson Street Bridge closure is set to continue past its originally planned two weeks. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The Edmondson Street Bridge will remain closed for at least the next 18 months, with Wagga Wagga City Council electing to allow Inland Rail to proceed with its works despite some complaints.
The closure was originally planned for only two weeks to allow Inland Rail to gather traffic data for the eventual demolition of the bridge, which will see the bridge closed for at least 18 months.
While the original plan was for the bridge to reopen while Inland Rail formulated a traffic mitigation plan for the surrounding area, the council has opted to keep the bridge closed for Inland Rail to begin works.
Prior to the bridge’s closure, many motorists and stakeholders were concerned about prolonged delays due to traffic, especially during school drop-offs and pick-ups.
Despite there being three schools surrounding the bridge, Inland Rail has stated the delays have been well within its projections.
Inland Rail senior project manager Cassandra Hodges said that during the trial there were no issues identified by emergency services and police did not record any increased call-out times.
“During the trial period, we recorded 39 complaints and inquiries,” she said.
“The major point of contention was the Sturt Highway, Lake Albert intersections. We’ve worked closely with Transport to make some changes to the traffic signals that would be automated to try and support that.
“We have also seen some congestion on Railway Street during school pick-ups, but we do see that ease quite quickly.”
Ms Hodges also confirmed that Mother’s Bridge will be rebuilt.
While all councillors voted unanimously in favour of keeping the bridge closed, Cr McKinnon expressed concerns that motorists and committees may not have been equipped properly to report complaints about the traffic directly to Inland Rail.
“I’m glad Inland Rail has set up some routes by which people can contact them directly about any complaints or inquiries,” she said.
“That’s great, but there are some other traffic committees who have expressed that they haven’t been able to get a hold of Inland Rail.
“I just wanted to make sure that, you know, we could have direct avenues through the council as well to make sure that complaints are given to us as councillors, that can get to Inland Rail too.
“It’s all been agreed to now, and if they (Inland Rail) don’t comply, there are four people who are including the mayor and the Transport Minister, the local Member for Wagga … who are going to have to be answered to.”
