PRIORITISING the $6.1 million redevelopment of Eunony Bridge Road over upgrading the 40-year-old adjoining bridge will hinder traffic flow from the proposed intermodal freight hub site at Bomen, according to a Wagga City councillor.
Cr Paul Funnell has questioned why council chose to upgrade the road and accompanying Byrnes Road roundabout without giving thought to upgrading the Eunony Bridge that can’t currently carry heavy vehicles.
Wagga City Council (WWCC) has conceded the bridge is well into its design life, but says plans to upgrade it are on the cards.
“That bridge has five years left in it,” Cr Funnell said.
“It doesn’t have the capacity to carry heavy mass vehicles.
“They’re trying to build the freight hub and this is the main feeder road to it.
“It’s so ill conceived and ill thought out.”
A WWCC spokesman said vehicles operating at higher mass limits (HML), such as a B Double, must be loaded at an appropriate weight or detour via the Sturt Highway, Olympic Highway and Bomen Road.
While admitting the road is a key link into the proposed intermodal freight hub and Bomen Industrial Area, the spokesman confirmed council has recently made a grant funding submission to upgrade it.
“Council will continue to pursue funding opportunities for the upgrade or replacement of this important piece of infrastructure,” the spokesman said.
The section of Eunony Bridge Road between the bridge and Sturt Highway will be upgraded later in the year or early next year.
