Taieri Trails Trust chairman Colin Brown requested funding from the council at yesterday’s annual-plan hearings to facilitate an off-road cycleway.
Plans were originally made to connect the Clutha Gold trail to Dunedin with an off-road route, allowing cyclists to continue through the tunnel to Dunedin and avoid travelling along State Highway 1 and SH87.
In a recent feasibility study, the cost of constructing the long concrete trail was estimated at $3.9 million.
An additional bridge would be built to connect the trail.
He said the cycleway would contribute to the growing cycle tourism market and expand commuting and recreational opportunities for cyclists.
Cr Jim O’Malley questioned whether a new bridge was needed to cross the Taieri River.
Mr Brown said a 95m shute bridge was needed to cross the Taieri River and lead to the 120m Waipori River bridge, which would connect to the concrete trail to Outram.
This new bridge would cost $600,000.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich questioned the $3.9 million price tag of the trail.
Mr Brown said the trail needed to be built out of concrete to keep cyclists safe in the instance of flooding, and this was cheaper than the alternative option of a clip-on bridge connecting to SH87.
Mr Dey said the Mosgiel-to-Outram trail was estimated at $3.9 million, including a large swing-bridge, and would be 14km long.
The second phase of the project, the Waipori River-to-Waihola section, would also cost $3.9 million and be 9km long.
The third phase, the gap in-between, would cost $5.3 million, as there were a number of other bridges that needed to be built.
