The Edmondson Street Bridge is set to be completely rebuilt from September, sparking concerns about traffic detours and delays. Photo: Chris Roe.
Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, has suggested replicating the closure of Edmonson Street under similar conditions to those that the street will be subjected to once works on the controversial Inland Rail project begins in the centre of town.
Edmonson Street is set to be unusable for residents for 18 months, starting in September this year, once construction works begin to heighten the bridge.
Dr McGirr suggested a 24-hour trial closure of the street to give schools, commuters and public transport a clearer understanding of what the conditions will look like once the works on Edmonson Street get underway.
The polarising so-called ”nation-building” project is a freight line that will travel from Brisbane to Melbourne, using the existing railway line in Wagga Wagga that cuts through the CBD. The existing bridge is too low to allow double-stacked trains to make the journey as planned.
With the bridge set to be completely redeveloped, many, including Dr McGirr, have voiced their concerns about the traffic delays and detours that will be enforced on the heavily travelled street.
Inland Rail has yet to release a traffic plan for the street, which has four schools and institutions in proximity: TAFE NSW, Wagga Wagga High School, Kildare Catholic College and South Wagga Public School.
“What needs to happen is they need to actually do a trial of having the bridge shut,” Dr McGirr said.
“For 24 hours, close the bridge and see what happens. Then we can work out from there what extra measures need to be put in place.
“Waiting till the bridge is actually out of action before knowing what’s going to happen is madness, so at the very least, we need to be able to model that properly.
“Yes, it will be inconvenient for those 24 hours, but it’s going to be the reality for 18 months.
“The increased volumes of traffic will present risks to students. And then on top of all that, what’s going to happen to the buses?
“The bus routes in this town are absolutely, precisely planned to get kids to the different schools at a particular time.
“Having the Edmondson Street Bridge out is going to cause major disruptions, and that’s going to need a piece of work on its own right. That’s all part of the bigger picture, and my concern is that it’s been completely underestimated.”
Inland Rail recently responded to concerns voiced by Dr McGirr, stating it had continued to work with stakeholders, schools and residents affected by the Edmonson Street works in delivering an adequate plan.
“Inland Rail is continuing to consult and receive input from key stakeholders, including schools, emergency services, Wagga Wagga City Council, Transport for NSW and public transport service providers ahead of the planned closure period of Edmondson Street Bridge,” an Inland Rail spokesperson said.
“Inland Rail is committed to ensuring that all practical and feasible traffic mitigations have been considered relating to the closure of the bridge.
“When the planning is finalised for how traffic impacts from construction will be mitigated, detailed plans and information will be shared with the community so that all road users are aware of the approved traffic changes ahead of time.
“Information about the construction period and its impacts will be shared with the Wagga Wagga community on an increasingly regular basis over the next few months, keeping the community informed on the progress of the project, including the implementation of traffic management planning prior to and during the closure itself.
“Safety for local road users, including pedestrians, is a top priority for Inland Rail, and Inland Rail appreciates the ongoing patience and understanding of the local community and its road users.”
