POLL: What would you name Wagga's soon-to-be-built railway bridge?

It began with a debate over the ”correct’ name of the bridge connecting Best and Edmondson streets over the railway line in the middle of Wagga Wagga. It now appears to have become an opportunity to put it to the people and potentially establish a lasting legacy that celebrates the proud heritage of the region.

Our Riverina Rewind story on the history of the bridge and the two men behind the names of the connecting streets sparked plenty of debate and ignited interest in officially naming the bridge.

Have you voted in our poll?

Early results suggest that the majority of voters (51 per cent) would like to see the bridge officially named ”Edmondson” in honour of our locally grown Victoria Cross recipient, Corporal John ”Jack” Edmondson.

Just 22 per cent supported a return to Best Street Bridge, while 27 per cent would like us to consider something new.

Some like the idea of recognising the late actor Lex Marinos, while the inevitable ”Bridgey McBridgeface” was also among the suggestions.

But not everyone agrees with the name change, and older readers commenting on the Lost Wagga Wagga Facebook page expressed their desire to see the original one restored.

June Davis declared that it has “always been best st bridge in my 80-odd years in Wagga Wagga, why change it?”.

Stuart Cartwright agreed, saying “Best is best, just let it rest”, while Judi Bowman asked, “Why change something when it’s not broken!”.

The issue facing traditionalists, however, is that, like it or not, the name has already changed in both common usage and official documents.

Whatever you call it, the dilapidated 100-year-old structure will soon be demolished to make way for a new, taller bridge and separate footbridge with improved disabled access.

First labelled the Best Street Overhead Railway Bridge in 1925 by virtue of its location, all government and council planning documents today refer to it as the Edmondson Street Bridge.

Wagga City Council’s mapping portal shows that Best Street continues south across the Sturt Highway and up the ramp before it becomes Edmondson Street when it reaches the actual bridge deck.

Inland Rail has confirmed that Edmondson Street Bridge is its official designation.

It should not be surprising that in a garrison town like Wagga, there has been strong support for further recognition of war hero Jack Edmondson and the opportunity to add some context with a plaque or public artwork.

Former Wagga councillor Paul Funnell was behind a push in 2014 to rename Edmondson Street to Edmondson VC Street in time for the Anzac centenary in 2015.

The initiative garnered unanimous council support but was opposed by the Geographical Names Board and, as a compromise, the words ”Cpl JH Edmondson VC” were added to the signs.

“Given the problems surrounding my attempts in the past to have VC added to the street name, I think this is a great opportunity for proper recognition of Wagga’s VC winner. Particularly given our military city status,” Mr Funnell said.

“I would like to propose that with the construction of the new bridge, council should officially name it the Cpl John ‘’Jack’’ Edmondson VC Bridge.”

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack agreed that it would be a worthwhile change.

“I think it’d be a great tribute and a fine acknowledgment for somebody who was born here in Wagga Wagga and who attained the highest military honour that the Empire could bestow upon somebody,” he said.

What do you think? Should we have a say and give the bridge an official name? Or, as one commenter suggested, should we “build a bridge and get over it!”.