The NZTA had "squeezed" its programme for 2012-15 in a flatlining environment, acting state highway manager Ian Duncan said.
He spoke at a hearing of submissions to the Otago Regional Transport Committee on the draft regional land transport programme 2012-15.
Mr Duncan told committee members the NZTA had also adjusted its planned spending for Otago in the renewal of state highways.
Slightly more money would be channelled into that activity class than first intended for the next three-year period, he said.
Overall spending would be about $1.2 million a year less on maintenance and operations, and about $500,000 more annually on renewal.
Mr Duncan asked the committee to incorporate the amended figures in a finalised transport programme, to be considered by the Otago Regional Council.
He said safety would not be compromised and the changes were not expected to push expenditure beyond 2015.
"It will require us to closely monitor sites coming up for renewal and we may end up with some more patching on the network," he said.
The NZTA was maximising assets and their life span in the next three years, he said.
"In terms of the level of service, you are not going to see any difference," Mr Duncan said.
Commenting on concerns about the Kawarau Falls bridge, Mr Duncan said there was no danger of it failing in the next three years.
"It's not going to fall down, even in an earthquake.
"There's no risk of the structure giving way any time soon," he said.
Mr Duncan also asked the committee to consider changes to funding for the State Highway 88 cycleway and walkway between Dunedin and Port Chalmers.
The NZTA wanted to "re-proportion cashflow" during the next three years which would see the project's completion pushed out another year, he said.
"We've got some design and investigation work to tidy up in terms of consents in 2012-13 before getting into construction in 2013-14," he said.
Committee members expressed the project's importance to the bulk of submitters, who asked for it to be given priority.
The committee will make its recommendations to the full council, for approval of a final Otago programme, which will go before the NZTA for funding.
