The NZ Transport Agency says its delayed $25 million cycle/walkway is still on track to start in 2018, despite the new price tag.
The organisation reacted yesterday to an angry response from the West Harbour Community Board after it heard about the new figure, and a subsequent delay.
The board was told on Wednesday because the project had topped $20 million, the agency had to go to an independent organisation to get a second price estimate to verify its estimate was correct.
That had been "missed out", and would take three months.
The board also heard safety barriers for vehicles — which board members said could make State Highway 88 less safe for cyclists — were to be installed before the cycleway, contrary to a promise made.
Late yesterday NZTA project manager Jason Forbes said through a spokeswoman the board was told last year the project was in the ‘‘tens of millions’’.
A simpler, cheaper path had been considered, but it would have been less safe and less attractive.
Since the end of 2105 there had been only a minor increase to the project’s cost, due to the inclusion of further path and road safety measures, right-turn bays and crossing points to the adjacent communities.
Mr Forbes also said barriers would be built only where cyclist safety would not be compromised.
In response, community board chairman Steve Walker said the board had not been told at the meeting the path was still on track for 2018.‘‘If that is the case — hallelujah.
"Rest assured the board, and the public, will be watching with keen eyes."
Mr Walker was unsure whether the board had been told the cost was in the tens of millions.
"There’s been so many numbers bandied about over the years."
He still hoped to discuss the barriers with the NZTA on-site, but had not yet heard back from the organisation.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said any delay was disappointing, but he was reassured the NZTA had said the work was still on track to begin in 2018.
"It’s probably one of the most important pieces of cycleway to take off a main highway, for both safety and visitor reasons.
"That road has got to be the most dangerous road in Dunedin for cyclists, given the number of trucks on it."
It was also an important link in the round-the-harbour cycleway, expected to run from Port Chalmers to Harington Point.
"I just hope it gets done as soon as it can."
Cycle advocacy group Spokes Dunedin chairman Jon Dean said the group was ‘‘extremely disappointed’’.
It was critical the project got back on track, and a facility for pedestrians, runners and cyclists was developed past its current end point at St Leonards.The path was ‘‘very well used’’ and would be by tourists, once completed.
He was also concerned the NZTA wanted to build more safety barriers on SH88, before the track was finished. It left cyclists nowhere to go other than into the barrier and meant they could be "squashed".
"It doesn’t do anyone any good."
He said the organisation planned to speak to the community board and the NZTA.
Cr Aaron Hawkins, who is the council’s representative on the community board, said the project would benefit the whole city.
"You only have to see the groups of cyclists passing through every weekend to realise that."
