Now, the fate of the Hampden Bridge pylons are in the hands of Wagga City Council, as the structure's removal draws near.

Southern Cross Demolition (SCD) - the contractor responsible for the work - was this week given approval to use an "induced collapse" method to remove the bridge's three main spans.

A report to council's monthly meeting on Monday night will consider retaining one of the three pylons underneath, in recognition of the potential heritage value associated with leaving it in place.

Councillors will discuss retaining the pylon on the eastern river bank that is clear of "the main river channel".

"If retained, the pylon will be included in council's heritage interpretation strategy for the Hampden Bridge site," the report said.

Wagga resident Russell Meyers, who has previously voiced his opinion the pylons should stay, said they were a "good base for the future".

Mr Meyers would like to eventually see a shared bike and walking track across the Murrumbidgee River.

"Once that bridge goes, it (the existing track) will just be a dead end," Mr Meyers said.

"We need something decent to link north and south.

"I think once they (the pylons) go, we'll never see a walkway bridge there."

Mr Meyers supports the demolition of the bridge, but said it was "silly" for council to spend money to pull the pylons out and possibly replace them later.

He said they could be painted in bright colours and made into "something people want to look at", but admitted it didn't have to happen overnight.

"I'd love to see some of the heritage stay, it's too late to save the timber," he said.

An initial SCD proposal indicated the bridge would be dismantled by large cranes on the river bed and floating work platforms.

A change was prompted when concerns were raised about the bridge's stability and the possibility of unplanned and potentially dangerous collapses occurring.

Director of infrastructure services Heinz Kausche said the new demolition methodology had no impact on the overall project schedule or budget.

OFF limits.

The life of the Hampden Bridge will come to an explosive end within a month, but its final moments will be hard to see.

The method recently approved for the structure's demolition has prompted the need for a strict exclusion zone.

The zone will be in place on the day of the demolition and prohibits public access to all areas within a significant distance around the bridge.

Wagga City Council's director of infrastructure services Heinz Kausche said the exclusion zone would include road closures on Wiradjuri Bridge, Fitzmaurice Street and Hampden Avenue.

"We recognise that, for community members interested in the project, the exclusion zone significantly limits the visibility of the project," Mr Kausche said.

"However, the exclusion zone is set by WorkCover NSW for the safety of the community and will be strictly enforced with no exceptions."

"Given the very limited viewing areas, council is filming the demolition from a number of different angles and as soon as possible after the collapse will make the footage available online and to the media."

Knights Meats and Deli chief Deanna McNaughton said council was working closely with them to minimise disruption.

Mrs McNaughton said it was hoped the business could remain open throughout.

Further notification about the implementation of the exclusion zone will be provided as the project progresses.

What is induced collapse?

Induced collapse involves the systematic/sequential removal of key structural members through the application of force to result in the controlled collapse of the structure.

What will occur on the day of the collapse?

An exclusion zone will be established around the bridge well before the collapse and will remain in place until the all clear is provided.

The exclusion zone will also severely limit any possible public viewing.

The exclusion zone will include road closures on Wiradjuri Bridge, Fitzmaurice Street and Hampden Avenue and will be clearly marked and strictly enforced on the day.

Access along the levee banks inside the exclusion zone will not be allowed.

The on-water navigation restriction of 500m on the Murrumbidgee River either side of the bridge will remain in place.

Due to the limited visual perspective of the bridge and lengthy procedures associated with the collapse prior to the application of force, members of the public are strongly encouraged not to be within the vicinity on the day.

What if I want to see the collapse?

Council will be capturing the process with multiple still and video cameras, and will make the footage publicly available in a number of formats as soon as possible following the collapse of the bridge.

How is the collapsed bridge structure retrieved from the river?

The three main truss spans of Hampden Bridge will be removed from each pylon, and will largely remain intact.

During the preparation stage for the collapse, each truss span will have cables attached to allow heavy machinery to pull each truss onto the riverbank where it will be dismantled.

The minimal charge utilised for the collapse and the preparatory work undertaken to remove all loose and secondary timber from the bridge should minimise debris entering the river.

How long will the material be in the river after the collapse?

Once the three main truss spans are removed from the piers and collapsed into the river work will begin to retrieve each individual truss span one at a time.

The process is designed to collapse each truss in its entirety with minimal breakage, to aid retrieval of the truss from the river.

Each span will be pulled onto the eastern riverbank using heavy machinery located on the floating work platforms and on the riverbank itself.

This process is expected to take between four and seven days.

Will the pylons be removed?

Council has received approval to remove the three wrought and cast iron cylinder pylons as part of the demolition project.

In recognition of the potential heritage value associated with leaving an example of the original pylons in place, council staff will be presenting a report to July meeting to allow consideration of retaining the bridge pylon located clear of the main river channel on the eastern river bank.

If retained, the pylon will be included in council's Heritage Interpretation Strategy for the Hampden Bridge site.