The state government funded Wagga Urban Highway Study, investigating the feasibility of sending trucks around the centre of the city, was due by the end of 2016.

But Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) now expects its third-party traffic engineering and transport planning firm to hand down its findings “early this year”.

Three bypass options mooted by Committee 4 Wagga (C4W) include a route looping through Bomen to the north of the city before joining the Olympic Highway north of Estella; one travelling through North Wagga using the upgraded Eunony Bridge; and one skirting the city’s southern boundaries via a proposed high speed rail interchange.

The roads authority blamed the delay on “additional traffic data” being sought to “ensure an accurate overview of the corridor’s efficiency”.

RMS has been working hand in glove to marry its findings with Wagga council’s $240,000 milestone transport study, which will map out plans to ease the city’s congestion. 

The Integrated Transport Strategy will be presented to councillors on 27 February – close to nine months late.

“(Wagga council) has been engaging with RMS as a stakeholder in its Wagga Urban Corridor Study,” a council spokesman said.

“An RMS representative has also been on the project team for the Wagga Integrated Transport Strategy.”

Riverina MP Michael McCormack said a bypass separating heavy trucks and local traffic would have the added benefit of reducing fumes in main streets.

“Not having trucks rumbling along Edward Street and through the centre of town won’t cost Wagga anything, as businesses such as petrol stations and food outlets will pop up on the alternative route,” Mr McCormack said.

“Everyone said a bypass would be the end of Goulburn, but it’s hard to find a park on the main street.

“And heavy vehicles belch out a few fumes, which could better exhausted elsewhere.”

Committee 4 Wagga CEO Chris Fitzpatrick was “waiting with bated breath” for RMS’ preferred route.

“Wagga’s a city that runs north-south, but we've got interstate transport crossing east-west,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

Mr Fitzpatrick urged council to swiftly block out the bypass corridor in its new development plan.