The Edmondson Street Bridge closure is likely to continue past its planned two weeks, with reports of delays being within projected targets. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Inland Rail’s closure of the Edmondson Street Bridge is likely to continue past the two-week trial, with Wagga Council stating few formal complaints have been made about traffic delays.
Originally, the bridge was to close for two weeks from 22 November, with Inland Rail to assess traffic conditions before destroying the bridge and starting works.
However, due to few complaints being made about traffic wait times or detours, Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) has stated the closure could remain in place for 18 months while the bridge is rebuilt immediately following the trial.
Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr has also backed moves to continue the closure.
“WWCC has been working with Inland Rail to monitor the trial closure of Edmondson Street Bridge. While there has been additional queuing, overall road network performance has been encouraging,” a Wagga Wagga City Council spokesperson said.
“Council is grateful to the community for their patience, noting that early indications suggest a willingness to tolerate some changes in travel times during the trial. This is reflected in the very low number of complaints received during the first week of the trial.
“If the trial continues in the manner experienced during the first week, particularly given the low number of complaints received, it is likely that the closure will continue until the bridge is replaced.
“The period of this closure is estimated by Inland Rail to be around 18 months.”
While there have been few formal complaints, social media has told a different story.
“Traffic on Bourke Street this morning and Pearson St/Glenfield Road this afternoon is a total nightmare. Inland Rail should not have been within 100 kms of Wagga,” was one comment on Region‘s Facebook page.
Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr has been vocal about his concerns on the impact of Inland Rail passing through the CBD.
However, given the small number of complaints attached to the first week of the trial, he said it would make sense to continue the closure.
“I think the trial to this point has gone well enough that the sensible thing to do is to continue the closure. Yeah, that’s a big call, but it has gone that well.
“I have to say that I think it has gone better than I thought it would. Clearly, there is more traffic, but the delays have been kept to a reasonable level.
“There are a couple of spots where I think we could improve things. I think there’s a crossing of Urana Street where we need to look at some sort of way to get kids across that road, for example. But apart from that, I have to say that the preparation and effort that was put into the monitoring seems to have paid off.
WWCC is still encouraging residents to reach out with any concerns they might have about the closure during the last week of the trial.
“The trial has one more week to run. If community members have any issues, questions or complaints relating to the trial or the associated traffic impacts, they are encouraged to contact Inland Rail on 1800 732 761,” the council spokesperson said.
“This will ensure Inland Rail is adequately capturing community sentiment, feedback and issues arising during the trial.
“Feedback to council so far indicates that the community’s priority is for Inland Rail to progress with the bridge replacement without further delay.”
