The Inland rail project has released updated designs for some of Wagga's bridges that will need to be modified to accommodate taller freight carriages.
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Inland Rail is a $15 billion federal government project to designed to improve rail freight speeds and weight limits between Brisbane and Melbourne.
As Inland Rail is designed to allow carriages double-stacked with shipping containers, multiple bridges in Wagga will need to be lifted from a clearance of about five metres to at least 7.1 metres.
The planned works include raising the Best and Edmondson streets bridge and installing new pedestrian fencing and safety screens above the tracks.
Raising the bridge will take an estimated 240 days including 184 days of traffic closure and detours, with alternative routes being considered at Coleman or Urana streets via Docker and Bourke streets.
The Cassidy footbridge will be replaced with a design incorporating a bicycle path as part of Wagga City Council's active travel plan.
The Mothers Bridge at Wagga Railway Station will also have to be replaced with a version that has higher clearance.
Footbridges at Culcairn and Junee will be removed entirely.
Inland rail stakeholder engagement manager for south NSW, Heath Martin, said the reference design stage has been finalised for the project's Albury to Illabo section.
"This means most of our planning has been finalised, and we can begin preparation for construction," he said.
"As part of the reference design stage we conducted options assessments for key sites along the alignment and consulted with key stakeholders and the community.
"We also undertook additional assessments to determine constructability of designs, conducted ecological and heritage field investigations and survey works."
Inland Rail also plans to work with Wagga City Council on works required at Pearson Street to lower the rails beneath the bridge.
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