FIRST LOOK: Inland Rail unveils designs for new Wagga bridges

INLAND RAIL has unveiled the long-awaited designs for three new bridges in Wagga, with construction scheduled to begin in September.

The designs, released this afternoon, show what the Edmondson Street road bridge, the Wagga Wagga Station footbridge – known locally as Mothers Bridge – and the Cassidy Parade footbridge will look like once completed.

The major milestone offers locals their clearest sense yet of the transformation to come.

Malcolm Clark, Inland Rail Project Director for the Albury to Illabo section, said the bridges are crucial elements of the Inland Rail project and will deliver long-term benefits for both vehicles and pedestrians.

“The new Edmondson Street bridge will provide a much-improved crossing point which will benefit drivers and pedestrians, while Mothers Bridge and Cassidy Parade Bridge will also improve safety and accessibility for users,” Mr Clark said.

“We acknowledge that the closure of Edmondson Street will lead to unavoidable traffic delays and we are currently working with key stakeholders including Transport for NSW and Wagga Wagga City Council to develop mitigations to reduce these delays as much as is practical.

“We thank the Wagga Wagga community for their patience and understanding throughout these important works.”

◾️ACCESSIBILITY & SAFETY SHAPE DESIGN

All three Wagga bridges have been designed in consultation with the NSW Government and Wagga Wagga City Council, and reviewed by the NSW State Design Review Panel to ensure compliance with stringent design, safety, environmental and technical requirements.

The Edmondson Street bridge will feature a separate pedestrian path that meets the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), providing safer access for people with mobility restrictions.

As per Wagga Wagga City Council’s guidelines, road vehicles will face a maximum grade of 10% on the approaches to the bridge.

Both Mothers Bridge and the Cassidy Parade footbridge will include DDA-compliant ramps, anti-throw screens, and handrails to maximise safety and usability for all users.

◾️TIMELINE & TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Construction is timed to begin during the September rail possession period, when the line will be temporarily closed to enable safe work access.

Edmondson Street bridge will be closed for approximately 18 months.

Cassidy Parade footbridge will be replaced by a temporary pedestrian bridge for 19 months during construction, while the new footbridge is constructed

Mother’s Bridge will remain open during part of the construction period, though access from the station side will be via a temporary ramp in place for roughly 15 months.

◾️JUNEE BRIDGE DESIGNS ‘COMING SOON’

While Wagga residents are now getting their first glimpse of what’s to come, designs for Junee’s new Kemp Street bridge are expected to be released “in the coming months.”

As reported by The Junee Bulletin last week, Inland Rail has confirmed that Junee’s 80-year-old bridge — one of just three crossings linking the town’s east and west — will also be demolished this September, with a taller, wider overpass to be constructed in its place.

The new structure will rise more than two metres higher than the existing bridge, enabling 6.5-metre-high double-stacked freight trains to pass safely beneath, while also improving access for vehicles and pedestrians above.

As with Wagga’s Edmondson Street bridge, Junee’s Kemp Street bridge will be closed for up to 18 months once construction begins.

◾️LOOKING AHEAD

The Wagga and Junee bridge projects are key components of Inland Rail’s push to deliver the Beveridge to Parkes section of the national freight network by the end of 2027.

Inland Rail is currently working with emergency services, local councils, schools, and transport providers to finalise traffic management plans aimed at minimising disruptions — particularly for schoolchildren and regular pedestrian users. These plans will be shared with the community ahead of each closure.

Once complete, the 1,600-kilometre Inland Rail line from Melbourne to Brisbane is expected to revolutionise freight transport in regional New South Wales.

By 2040, up to 20 freight trains per day could pass through towns like Junee — each one capable of removing the equivalent of 110 D-double trucks from regional roads.