The one-lane bridge on Marshall Rd, which provides access to a walking track car park near the Earnscleugh gold tailings, has been closed since the flood.
Waterways are being impeded by the broken structure, but its removal could be complicated by issues of ownership between the Central Otago District Council, Otago Regional Council and the Department of Conservation.
ORC environmental engineering and hazards director Gavin Palmer said the council's involvement with the bridge began when it worked on a series of millennium projects including the upgrade of a Clutha River walking track between five and 10 years ago.
Dr Palmer said the council completed other related work in the area, but he would not specify whether the ORC was responsible for maintaining the structure or paying for its safe removal.
"Removal is the only practical option so we will talk . . . about. Unless the CODC or Doc claim ownership of it, then we will look to remove it . . . it's going to come down to issues of ownership," he said.
CODC roading manager Julie Muir said the bridge was not part of the council's roading network.
"It was put in by the ORC to access the car park. It is not a CODC bridge," she said.
Doc Central Otago area manager Mike Tubbs said the department's only interest in the bridge was its ability to provide access to the Earnscleugh Historic Reserve.
"Doc doesn't own the bridge, but the department recognises it provides access to the public reserve which is administered by Doc. It isn't the only place public can access the reserve, however," he said.
Dr Palmer said a replacement bridge was unlikely, as there had been a history of problems with maintaining a structure at that location, he said.
He did not know what the bridge cost to build and was not sure how much it would cost to replace or remove.
