Committee 4 Wagga helps to ‘bridge’ the road safety gap
Committee 4 Wagga’s contribution has been acknowledged at the top level during an announcement the Marshalls Creek Bridge upgrade will now go ahead.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison confirmed on Tuesday that a four-lane extension of the bridge would take priority over a controversial plan to place traffic lights at either end of the Gobbagombalin Bridge.
Just a day earlier Committee 4 Wagga chair Adam Drummond and chief executive officer Scott Sanbrook had joined the Wagga Wagga Residents and Ratepayers Association - at the invitation of Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr - in taking part in bridge discussions with Minister Aitchison.
“We have been working with council and community groups like Committee 4 Wagga and the Wagga Residents and Ratepayers Association to make sure we are making the right approaches and the right infrastructure,” Minister Aitchison was quoted as saying by Region Riverina (see story link below).
The NSW Government had come under fire after plans to widen the dangerous Marshalls Creek Bridge had been shelved in May in preference to install the Gobba Bridge traffic lights.
However, this week’s backflip has been declared a “commonsense move” by many parts of the Wagga Wagga community.
“Committee 4 Wagga was honoured to be asked to the table by Dr Joe to discuss the bridge issues with Minister Aitchison,” Mr Drummond said.
“The point Committee 4 Wagga wanted to drive home was that the proposed duplication of the Gobba Bridge should not be seen as a localised issue. If there is a freight delay as a result of the bridge, the consequences are felt all around the state.
“Committee 4 Wagga also acknowledges and appreciates the Minister’s focus on the Marshalls Creek Bridge widening, which has been on the agenda for at least eight years now.”
The meeting was followed by a bus tour of the bridge sites.
“Minister Aitchison had the chance to see first-hand the activity on Marshalls Creek Bridge and the associated traffic risks, with cars rushing to access the single lane on the approach to the crossing,” Mr Drummond said.
“A couple of ‘near misses’ during the 15-minute stop really highlighted the need for the upgrade.”
Mr Drummond also welcomed the pause on the traffic lights plan for the Gobba Bridge.
“Committee 4 Wagga saw this as a Band-Aid approach for a much larger problem over the next 10 to 15 years,” he said.
“This takes into consideration the growth in the northern suburbs from both a residential and industrial perspective.
“With recent interest in the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics hub (RiFL) sub-division lots for sale and the strong appeal of the Special Activation Precinct itself, large organisations are scoping Wagga as a place to call home due to its logistical links with the rest of the world.
“It makes sense to us that the traffic lights are scrapped and the focus is put solely on developing a business case for the duplication of the Gobba Bridge.”
Dr Joe McGirr said he was “heartened” by Minister Aitchinson’s announcement.
“This is a real win for the community,” Dr McGirr said in a statement.
“The upgrades to Marshalls Creek Bridge will improve safety for all road users and ease congestion on the highway through Wagga Wagga, with construction to begin within the next 18 months.
“The widened bridge will provide both a dedicated footpath and shared path over Marshalls Creek to improve connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists across the city of Wagga Wagga.
“I also welcome the ongoing investigations into additional connectivity across the Murrumbidgee River including the feasibility of duplicating the Gobbagombalin Bridge, which must be considered along with discussion of a bypass as part of an integrated transport strategy.
“We need long-term vision for our community.
“I thank the Minister for taking the time to meet with Wagga Wagga City councillors and staff, as well as touring the relevant roads with representatives of Committee 4 Wagga and the Wagga Residents and Ratepayers Association.”
