Waimate Mayor John Coles' reaction to that was: "That's top news. That's the greatest news I've had for a long time."
Mrs Dean had been lobbying for the project on behalf of the two communities with Minister of Transport Steven Joyce. She was informed yesterday by Mr Joyce that funding for the bridges would be included in the New Zealand Transport Agency's budget.
Final design is still being confirmed, but the single-lane bridges, with speed restrictions of 20kmh, will be replaced with two twin-lane concrete structures.
Earlier estimates put the cost at $15 million.
Mrs Dean was delighted yesterday with the news.
Mr Joyce's office acknowledged Mrs Dean's role, commending her for her advocacy.
"Behind-the-scenes work that has taken place to support the bridge's construction had been immense," she said yesterday.
"It's been a long process and I have to acknowledge the support of many people."
A spokesperson for Mr Joyce said detailed planning of the replacement bridges was under way. Once the start date had been announced, the two communities would continue to receive regular updates on the project.
With work starting next year and a contractor appointed, the new bridges could be open by 2014-15.
Mr Coles, who led the local campaign for the bridges, said that while design and costings might still need to be confirmed, he was "not concerned with the detail".
"The big worry has been funding. All the detail can be done, but we were worried the project may sit for a few years without funding. It's great that has been approved."
He welcomed the news on behalf of the Hakataramea and Kurow communities which had been affected for several years by bridge closures, including for increasingly frequent maintenance, amid fears they could be destroyed, leaving no link.
It was also good news for the town of Waimate, he said. The town had lost bus tours and tourists passing through, from their avoiding the bridges.
The community has been pushing for the bridge replacements for years and concerns reached a crescendo after closures earlier this year for nine days, after floods in the Waitaki River caused damage.
Community disruptions ranged from children having to walk across the bridges to school to residents facing a detour of about 160km down to the State Highway 1 bridge at Glenavy, to drive between Kurow and Hakataramea.
Farms were affected, as stock trucks, contractors and suppliers also faced the extended detours.
A community meeting in February called for urgent replacement and that was followed by the Waimate District Council setting up a lobby group to pressure the Government and transport agency to get the project approved.
Another public meeting was held on September 12, which again called for funding to be approved. All 121 MPs were sent a letter last week, along with bumper stickers carrying the message "No Bridge No Vote".
