$12.8M commuter cycling network ready for roll out

Construction on the next section of Wagga Wagga’s new $12.8M cycleway network is expected to start next month after the Active Travel Plan project was approved by Council at the most recent Ordinary Meeting.

Council gave the green light to the final proposed routes which means more than 50 kilometres of cycleways will now be constructed across the city.

Work on sections of the Red Hill Link and Bourke Street Link will start in late August 2019, following on from the network’s Levee Link which is currently being constructed alongside levee upgrade works.

Director Commercial Operations Caroline Angel thanked the community for their participation in extensive consultation undertaken in recent months including seven public meetings and more than 1600 letters sent out to residents living along the routes.

“Council received a lot of feedback on different elements of the project and sections of different links with a vast majority of feedback supporting the implementation of a cycleway network,” Ms Angel said.

Much of the discussion focused on the Forest Hill Link and the potential to utilise the existing unused rail corridor. However, at this stage the corridor is not available to use, therefore an alternative route is being provided via Kyeamba Avenue, Ms Angel said.

It is also proposed that Council will move the Central Link from Fox Street to Murray Street allowing better access to the health precinct. This will be subject to Roads and Maritime Services installing lights at the Edward and Murray streets intersection.

“With the amount of work invested into this project, we’re confident the end result will provide Wagga Wagga with a network of cycleways that will improve the liveability and accessibility of the city, whilst promoting an active and healthy lifestyle,” Ms Angel said.

“It’s also important to note that this funding was awarded exclusively to develop the commuter cycling network and cannot be diverted for other uses in the city."

The entire $12.81M project will be delivered by May 2021. Residents will be notified directly when construction work is planned.

More information and network maps at wagga.nsw.gov.au/cycling