A milestone moment this week for the construction of the new shared path and footbridge along the eastern side of Kooringal Road as part of the Active Travel Plan (ATP) project.

The 26-metre long steel truss and frame of the new footbridge on the Kooringal Road Link was lowered into place over Marshalls Creek on Wednesday 24 September 2025.

Once completed, the Kooringal Road link will provide a 728-metre concrete shared path and separate bridge for pedestrians and cyclists connecting the Exhibition Centre on the corner of Copland Street with Hammond Avenue.

Council’s Contract Project Manager Matt Griffin explained what was involved in the bridge installation process.

“The bridge was manufactured at a local business located just 1.6 kilometres away in Copland Street and was transported was delivered to its final destination on a semi-trailer,” Mr Griffin said.

“We had two 70-tonne cranes waiting at the road bridge, ready to lift the structure off the truck and lower it on to the pre-prepared foundations, with the whole operation taking around 15 minutes.

“We want to thank motorists and nearby businesses for their patience during the temporary closure of Kooringal Road as the process was carried out.

“There’s still some work ahead to prepare the bridge for use, including connecting the walkways to the bridge structure.

“It is important to understand this remains part of an active construction zone, with work on the new shared path to the south of the bridge ongoing, and construction of the section of path to the north of the bridge expected to start soon.

“We are asking the community to respect the restrictions on access and signage currently in place for their safety and the safety of the workers on site.”

The works also includes the construction of new crossings for pedestrians and cyclists on Kooringal Road, just south of the bridge, and at the roundabout with Copland Street.

Council’s Manager City Growth & Regional Assets Ben Creighton described the installation of the shared path and creek crossing that are separate from road traffic as a significant step for the community.

“It’s an important safety improvement for people walking and cycling in the area, addressing community concerns around pedestrians currently using vehicle lanes to cross Marshalls Creek Bridge,” Mr Creighton said.

“Once completed, this link will be a great addition to our Active Travel Plan’s shared pathway network, which connects the suburbs of Wagga Wagga, providing residents with a safe, alternative travel option for commuting, or an excellent path for exercising.”

The ATP project is jointly funded by the NSW Government and Wagga Wagga City Council.