Work on the construction of the long-awaited pipeline to connect Lake Albert with the Murrumbidgee River is making good progress and is on track for the majority of the works to be completed by the end of the year.
These works are the main component of Wagga Wagga City Council's $8.9 million Lake Albert Pipeline and Precinct Renewal Project, which aims to deliver a more permanent solution to the lake's water quality and water level issues.
The pipeline is approximately 6.4 kilometres in length and includes boring under five key infrastructures.
Council's Manager City Growth and Projects Ben Creighton said a lot of construction activity is underway on the pipeline and associated works across the city as part of Stage 2 of the project.
"We're at around the 50 per cent mark in terms of installing the pipeline from the river through to Lake Albert so we're on track to complete a majority of the works before the end of the year," Mr Creighton said.
"Riverina Water is working on the section of pipeline near the river, while our main contractor, J-Group, is working on the pipeline more towards the south, and that's continuing at quite a good pace given the good weather we've been having recently.
"We also have another contractor, Excel Gray Bruni, working on construction of the new weir structure at the northern end of the lake, and that's expected to be completed in about eight to 10 weeks."
Construction of the new pump station at the Murrumbidgee River will start within the next few weeks and is expected to take 12 to 16 weeks to complete.
Under the agreement with the NSW Government, Council has a specific purpose water licence to pump 1800 megalitres of water annually from the river to the lake during the winter months.
"We can only pump between April and October, so the pipeline and pump station are on track to be well and truly completed before the 1st of April next year."
Currently, works are focused along Vincent Road, but there will be works along Copland Street, Kooringal Road, and then at the Kooringal Road-Edward Street intersection on the Sturt Highway.
Council advises motorists and other road users to keep an eye out as traffic conditions will be impacted by these developments as they progress.
"A lot of these works are focused around boring under roads and near the creek areas," Mr Creighton said.
"While the roadworks themselves are minimal, there is a lot of work happening around the roads and in intersections.
"We ask the community to slow down, be patient and take care when they are near a job site or see a roadworks sign."
The project is funded through the Australian Government's Growing Regions Program, in partnership with Wagga Wagga City Council and the NSW Government.
