Long-time campaigners have welcomed significant developments in the proposed $9.5 million replacement of the Marshall's Creek Bridge at Hammond Avenue.
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The project took a huge step forward on Monday when a detailed design and timeline of the project was released by Transport for NSW.
Marshalls Creek Bridge has long been a topic of contention for locals who have raised concerns about the set-up which forces traffic coming down the four-lane highway to squeeze into two lanes across the bridge.
There have also been ongoing safety concerns regarding pedestrian access on only one side of the bridge which is frequently used by semi-trailers and other trucks.
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Under the design released today, the two lane bridge will be replaced with an 18 metre wide bridge consisting of four lanes of traffic at 3.5 metres each.
Road approaches on either side will also be widened to a total of 19 metres with 3.5 metre lanes and 2.5 metre shoulders.
The design is also proposing two pedestrian paths on either side of the bridge, each 1.8 metres in width with safety barriers.
BIG4 Holiday Park owner Martin Cotterell said though he isn't pleased with the amount of time locals have had to wait for the replacement to move ahead, he is thrilled some serious safety and access improvements are on the way.
"I think it's taken too long but this news is sensational," Mr Cotterell said. "It will be great for the highway. It's got a real bottle neck problem and I think from a safety perspective having safe pedestrian access is really good.
"Lots of pedestrians use it, there's locals commuting to work and some of our guests, tourists, use it to get into town."
The project's multi-million dollar price tag will be funded by the state government's $30 million Wagga Road Upgrade Package.
Wagga local and long-time advocate for the bridge replacement Peter Rex said he was excited that the replacement was being given proper attention and funding after a years-long wait for action.
"I'm pleased that it hasn't got lost and I'm really pleased to hear they're taking it seriously with a large chunk of funding so it won't be just a patch up job," Mr Rex said. "I [also] think that it's fantastic that they've given a commitment to a timeline because sometimes the timing of these projects can get lost."
An estimated 18 people will be employed in the construction with a contractor is due to be engaged by mid-2022, with construction on the project due to start by late-2022 and completed by mid-2024.
Nationals MLC Wes Fang said the design and timeline was a significant step towards getting the replacement completed.
"It's a huge step for the project, it's something we've committed to previously but now that we're at the detailed design and assessment stage the community can have confidence," he said. "It's something the community knows has been a problem for a long time and has long advocated for, and we're now able to start engaging contractors and have the project started."
In a press release, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the proposed design will tackle safety and traffic flow.
"We're working to ease congestion and reduce the bottleneck for vehicles travelling on the Sturt Highway during peak times, due to traffic currently merging from four lanes to two and back to four," Mr Toole said.
"The $9.5 million four-lane bridge will improve traffic flow leading on to the bridge, and also boost safety for pedestrians and cyclists with an improved upstream shared path and extra downstream footpath."
Detailed planning on the construction process has not been finalised but the replacement is not expected to close down access, with crews expected to work on one side of the structure at a time, with traffic to be diverted at reduced speeds of 30 km/ hour.
Any night work will see access to the bridge closed temporarily and alternative routes mapped.
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