The Queenstown Lakes District Council raised concerns over the lack of commitment by Transit New Zealand to the Kawarau Falls Bridge, during a submission hearing in Queenstown yesterday.
Transit Strategic Support general manager Deborah Hume, Regional Transport manager Dave McGonigal and acting Dunedin regional manager Bruce Richards were in the resort to hear submissions on Transit's's annual plan for 2008-09 and its 10-year financial forecastings.
The QLDC was the only submitter yesterday and transportation planning manager Denis Mander, on behalf of Mayor Clive Geddes, said the council had some concerns over the bridge, which connects Kelvin Heights residents and those travelling north on State Highway 6 with Queenstown.
The 82-year-old, single-lane bridge will be closed at times for repairs between April 13 and April 24 - part of Transit's ongoing programme of structural maintenance.
In April last year, the Otago Daily Times reported the council was concerned Transit had not committed itself to replacing the bridge, even though the draft forecast provided for investigation in 2007-08 and design in 2008-09 through to 2010-11.
Despite a Regional Land Transport Committee decision in 2006 to dedicate $14.35 million of regional funding to its construction between 2010 and 2014, Transit had not scheduled the
construction of the bridge within the following 10 years.
During last year's submissions, the council contended bridge replacement must be included in the forecast, with completion within five years.
Yesterday, Mr Mander said the council's primary concern was it was essentially making the same submission on the bridge it did 12 months ago and there was still no timetable for construction.
‘‘The state highway forecast talks about investigating this year, but then doesn't say when the next stage will be happening.
‘‘We do need to be saying ‘OK, get through the investigation' so that we can manage our community's investment.''
Mr Mander said the council was generally supportive of Transit's long-term plan, its priority being the proposed Glenda Dr roundabout.
He said the design needed to be progressed and the intersection neededimprovement, not only because of safety issues but because it was a ‘‘key gateway'' to the township.
The council supported Transit's Peninsula Rd intersection improvements at Kelvin Heights, and the Crawfords Hill realignment, but did not support the inclusion of the Boyd Rd realignment.
‘‘If we're talking about priorities, there are other priorities in the district well ahead of that one,'' Mr Mander said.
After the hearing, Mr Richards said general submissions on Transit's plan had been positive, but there were things ‘‘taking longer than people's expectations''.
‘‘We very much do what we can when the money comes to us. It's a frustration we have as well.''
