A LEADING transport authority says road upgrades are needed to support extra traffic from the proposed public school at Estella.
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In a submission to the state significant development application, Transport for NSW south west director Lindsay Tanner said the primary school will accelerate the need for an upgrade of the Estella Road and Boorooma Street intersection.
It "will exceed capacity by 2030" and an upgrade to a roundabout is required, even without the school, he said.
"The school as proposed will likely hasten the need for the upgrade of the intersection to cater for the potential additional traffic, particularly during peak hour periods," Mr Tanner said.
Congestion in the surrounding road network is also expected with parents looking for parking spaces, said Mr Tanner. He added that a total of 22 onsite parking spaces and the pick-up, drop-off zone limits convenient access to the school.
"The ad-hoc parking of vehicles along the roadside will narrow the available travel lanes for vehicles within the public roads and restrict the sight lines to school children," he said.
Wagga councillor Dan Hayes said the roads in the northern suburbs were not set up to manage the traffic growth, but it did not mean plans are not in place to address the problem.
Cr Hayes said the intersection was already on the council's radar to upgrade. But he said the school's location is likely to fast-track when it will happen.
In regards to parking in and around the school, Cr Hayes said it was a logistical problem that the northern sporting precinct could help with once developed
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"It's another place for pick-ups and drop-offs, so kids will be walking across the fields to the school," he said.
Cr Hayes said the council's active travel plan includes a link passing the school, providing students riding bikes a safe pathway.
He said a pedestrian crossing was an essential option to consider.
Other submissions to the education department's plans included Wagga council, Charles Sturt University and the Environment Protection Authority.