Inland Rail work on the Edmondson Street Bridge is set to begin in September, but it will leave motorists and school buses with a difficult challenge. Photo: Chris Roe.
As the controversial Inland Rail project begins its works on the Edmondson Street Bridge later this year, many students, parents and families have been left scratching their heads over what will happen with school buses.
The so-called nation-building venture is a proposed and approved freight line travelling directly from Brisbane to Melbourne, cutting through areas including the Riverina and specifically the centre of Wagga Wagga.
Due to the heavier weight and double-stacked carriages, work on three Wagga bridges is set to be conducted to raise and strengthen them ahead of the first train hitting the tracks in 2027.
One of the bridges in question is the troubled Edmondson Street Bridge, which has had its quality and structural integrity questioned by local stakeholders and residents for years.
In its current condition, the southbound lane is closed off, with the side of the bridge wearing away. However, the bridge is still one of the most used in the city due to its location in the centre of town and its proximity to two of Wagga’s busiest schools, Wagga Wagga High and Kildare Catholic College.
Inland Rail is set to begin 18 months’ worth of works on the bridge in September this year, all but preventing traffic from crossing Edmondson Street and no doubt resulting in detours to the drop-off areas of the two schools.
Inland Rail and local public transport service Busabout are assuring the public that the works will only cause slight delays to travel times.
“There are no issues for kids getting to school, just maybe an extra five to seven minutes on the bus,” Busabout CIC depot manager Richard Mattot said.
“We’ve been in consultation with Transport for New South Wales and the Inland Rail over the last month.
“There’s been an intense series of meetings and planning, and we’re doing the best we can to factor in the diversions that are going to occur over the next 18 months.
“Kids will still get to school, the bus stops at Wagga High and Kildare will still remain in place. We have to divert down Railway Street or around onto Docker Street instead of the usual route on Edmondson Street.
“The southbound lane [on Edmondson Street] has been closed for years because the bridge is unsafe. It’s a given that it has to be done, that Inland Rail is coming through and is going to pay for it. It’s a bonus for everybody.”
Inland Rail confirmed that a traffic plan was yet to be finalised for the works beginning in September, but it was working with residents and stakeholders.
“The stakeholder team has regular ongoing meetings and this week has been travelling along the alignment between Wagga and Albury, doing pop-up sessions to give general information on where the project stands,” a spokesperson said.
“We continue to hold regular meetings with key stakeholders, including the local State Member and Wagga Wagga City Council. We understand how important this traffic management plan is to the community, and so we need to make sure it is thoroughly prepared.”
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