Demolition of Wagga's iconic river crossing is under way, with the nine timber spans on the bridge's eastern approach progressively dismantled this week.

Crews have worked from Hampden Avenue towards the structure, removing metal bolts and plates before dismantling the decking and supporting timbers.

Piles of timber, bolts and metal are now all that remains on the North Wagga approach - there's little connection left between the bridge and the bank.

Wagga City Council's latest demolition update - issued on Thursday - revealed surface contaminants are being removed across the entire structure.

"Due to the heavy contamination of the bridge material, council is not able to distribute any of the structures to third parties for re-use due to the potential risks to human health and/or the environment," the update said.

The material being transported from the site to accredited waste disposal sites.

"Although material cannot be freely distributed to third party individuals, the potential for re-use of recovered material to appropriately commemorate the bridge site and community connection to the bridge has been a key consideration of council."

Contractors are using floating work platforms to access the bridge where possible and limit equipment on the decking itself.

For the latest updates on where the demolition is up to, visit: www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/hampdenbridge.