Preliminary work to start on Lord Baden Powell Drive Upgrade

Wagga Wagga City Council is advising motorists to be aware of changed traffic conditions on the western end of Lord Baden Powell Drive, with works to upgrade the road expected to start early next week.

The works near the Museum of the Riverina site will start on Monday 3 July 2023 and will take approximately 15 weeks to complete, depending on weather conditions.

Footpath ends a few metres before Lord Baden Powell Drive, Museum of the Riverina in the background on the other side of the road
Location for new pedestrian crossing A pedestrian crossing will be installed on Lord Baden Powell Drive, completing this connection between the Museum of the Riverina and the Botanic Gardens.

Council’s Senior Project Manager Tim Morris said the upgrade will make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross Lord Baden Powell Drive from the Botanic Gardens to the Museum of the Riverina and other businesses along that side of the road.

“It will also make the precinct livelier and more accessible by improving the connection between the Botanic Gardens and museum,” Mr Morris said.

“The upgrade also prioritises safety for vehicles exiting the Museum of the Riverina access road or Kurrajong with those already travelling on Lord Baden Powell Drive.”

Museum of the Riverina access lane leading to Lord Baden Powell Drive with the Botanic Gardens in the background
Vehicle safety The Museum of the Riverina access lane will be reshaped to improve safety of vehicles in the area.

The first 4 to 6 six weeks of on-site works will primarily involve preparing the construction site.

“These preliminary works include approved vegetation clearing and the creation of a temporary access road to ensure visitors and staff can still access the museum during construction,” Mr Morris said.

Lord Baden Powell Drive will remain open during these early works with a reduced speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour in place during work hours.

Work will be carried out between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

After preliminary works, when construction starts, the road will be closed to through traffic.

The full road closure and detours will be communicated in advance so road users can plan ahead.

To help ensure the safety of other road users and the team working on the upgrade, motorists are urged to drive to conditions and observe the reduced speed limit.

The project is funded by the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

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