At yesterday's budget hearings, council strategy and development general manager Kate Styles indicated that, should the stadium project win approval next month, an "alternative proposal" for planned roading work could be considered.
Under the proposal, which was still being developed, only work on the State Highway 88 "strategic corridor" through Dunedin deemed necessary for the stadium's construction would proceed.
That would still see the majority of the planned realignment work proceeding, but, to save money, State Highway 88 could temporarily be connected to Anzac Ave just north of Frederick St, councillors heard.
Other work planned as part of the more extensive redevelopment project could be deferred for about three years, Mrs Styles said.
At the same time, planned Mosgiel arterial route improvements on Dukes and Riccarton Rds could be brought forward, she said.
However, the Centre St and Carncross St link project could be deferred until later in the 10-year period covered by the plan, she said.
The cost-saving proposals could save up to $4 million in the council's transportation operations budget, and help reduce pressure on rates over the first three years of the 10-year plan, she said.
The suggestion was raised as councillors considered a report showing a 6.73% increase in the New Zealand Transport Agency's construction cost index (CCI) for March to September 2008.
The CCI was used to adjusting multi-year contracts for inflation, but a report to councillors indicated further changes over the next six months could lead to a request for changes to the council's transportation operations programme.
A report to be presented to the council's infrastructure services committee on February 2 would outline the potential impact of the proposed changes, she said.
The "alternative proposal" would not impact on the future of the Caversham Valley project, which was outside council budgets, she said.
However, Cr Kate Wilson said she was "concerned" by the suggestion, fearing it could stall plans to replace or repair the Wingatui bridge.
But staff said other money was available for that project, which Mayor Peter Chin acknowledged was "a huge issue" in the community.
After the debate, councillors voted to note the changes to the CCI, with a follow-up report to be presented at this year's annual plan hearings in May.
