A traffic overbridge might yet cross the realigned Caversham highway to connect the Dunedin suburbs of Lookout Point and Calton Hill.
The New Zealand Transport Agency's (NZTA) board looks set to next month consider building a bridge between Mornington and Riselaw Rds as part of the Caversham Highway Improvement Project, estaimated to cost up to $49 million.
Stage one of the project will widen to a consistent four lanes the highway between Andersons Bay Rd and Barnes Dr.
The second stage will widen and realign the highway from Barnes Dr to Lookout Point.
NZTA Otago-Southland regional director Bruce Richards confirmed the potential cost of the bridge, which would be part of stage two, had been halved to about $6 million, making it a "much more palatable option".
Mr Richards could not release more details until it was discussed by the board, but said much of the work had been in "finding economies".
"We have quite clearly been looking at the options from a value-for-money perspective, but it will ultimately be for the board to decide."
The bridge was part of the original, $53 million upgrade plans for State Highway 1 considered by the Otago Regional Land Transport Committee last year.
The committee dropped the bridge from the plans, hoping the money it saved would make the highway upgrade more attractive to the national board.
The national board then asked for it to be considered as part of the design for the Barnes Dr to Lookout Point stage of the project.
An NZTA spokesman yesterday confirmed the Barnes Rd-Lookout Point part of the project was expected to cost between $26 million and $30 million.
That included the cost of buying land from the Dunedin City Council, and 19 private properties.
One other private property purchase was still being negotiated.
The Andersons Bay Rd to Barnes Dr section was expected to cost $17 million to $19 million.
Estimates suggested up to 2000 vehicles a day might use a bridge.
About 25,000 vehicles use the highway each day, NZTA figures suggest.
Mr Richards hoped the national board would give the "green light" for stage one to progress to the construction phase.
Downer EDI Works was awarded the design and build contract in March.
Caversham Motorway
Stage 1: Andersons Bay Rd to Barnes Dr
Start: In the design phase now, clearance for construction expected from NZTA board next month
Finish: 2013
Includes: Separated four-lane highway from King Edward St overbridge to Barnes Dr; Goodall St pedestrian overbridge raised, extended, and moved between Barnes Dr and McCracken St
Stage 2: Barnes Dr to Lookout Point
Start: Late 2012
Finish: 2014
Includes: Widening and realigning; central median; service lanes for remaining properties
May include: Traffic overbridge linking Mornington and Riselaw Rds
